HM Treasury

Travel: Fees and Charges

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on (a) London's economy and (b) household incomes of the introduction of a five euros charge for people travelling from London to the EU.

Simon Kirby: HM Treasury has not made an assessment of the European Commission’s proposal to establish a European Travel information and Authentication System. At every step of the negotiations to leave the EU we will work to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.

Trade: Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the net benefits to the UK economy of trade with Jersey and Guernsey.

Simon Kirby: HM Treasury has made no assessment of the net benefits to the UK economy of trade with Jersey and Guernsey.

Carbon Emissions

Caroline Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the Government's emissions reduction plan since May 2016.

Jane Ellison: In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not routinely disclosed. Officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss a range of policy issues, including the Government’s emissions reduction plan.

Treasury: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Simon Kirby: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. The EU withdrawal Bill will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical and in that context all relevant legislation is currently being identified and assessed.

VAT: Small Businesses

Dr   Poulter: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to allow the incremental introduction of VAT for small businesses.

Jane Ellison: The UK currently has the highest VAT registration threshold in Europe. At Budget 2016, the VAT registration threshold was increased to £83,000. This means that businesses with a turnover of £83,000 and below do not have to register for VAT.

ICT: Rural Areas

Dr   Poulter: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to build up UK digital infrastructure in rural areas.

Mr David Gauke: The government is taking a range of steps to provide rural areas with the digital infrastructure they need. The £1.7bn superfast broadband programme, will deliver at least 24 Mbps speeds to 95% of premises by the end of 2017. Autumn Statement 2016 announced further investment of over £1 billion in 5G and full-fibre networks, working in partnership with local areas to extend full-fibre coverage across the UK, following consultation. The government is also legislating for a new broadband Universal Service Obligation, giving people a legal right to request fast broadband services of at least 10mbps, wherever they live, and is investing up to £600 million to release more spectrum capacity to enable industry to continue to meet regulatory obligations for mobile communications premises coverage of 98% and geographic coverage of 90%.

Housing

Dr   Poulter: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to increase the housing supply for those with social care needs.

Mr David Gauke: Supported housing provides valuable support to some of our country’s most vulnerable people, including those with social care needs. The Government is committed to protecting and increasing the supply of supported housing. At Spending Review the Government announced £400 million of funding to deliver 8,000 new specialist affordable homes for the vulnerable, elderly or those with disabilities through the Affordable Homes Programme. In addition, 6,000 more specialised homes are also being funded through the Department of Health’s Care and Support Specialised Housing (CASSH) fund.

Treasury: Departmental Responsibilities

Catherine West: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many projects in operation in his Department are related to the UK's exit of the EU.

Mr David Gauke: The Treasury is working closely with others, including the Department for Exiting the EU, to ensure that the full range of opportunities are taken, and risks mitigated as the UK leaves the EU, while ensuring it does so in a smooth and orderly manner. It is in everyone’s interest that we take time to establish clear objectives to inform a UK approach to the negotiations.

VAT

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what benefit HM Revenue and Customs will derive by requiring VAT registered unincorporated businesses to send a quarterly cash in/cash out update.

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Revenue and Customs will meet the cost of delivering adequate digital infrastructure to (a) people and (b) businesses without such infrastructure by the start of Making Tax Digital.

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will exempt (a) people and (b) businesses without adequate digital infrastructure from Making Tax Digital.

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has carried out a rural proofing assessment of the potential effect of Making Tax Digital.

Jane Ellison: The Government is currently considering the responses to the Making Tax Digital consultations and will publish its response, draft legislation as well as the Tax Information and Impact Note in January. Issues specific to rural businesses will be assessed as part of this process. The consultations have gathered evidence on both the nature and deployment of financial support to assist businesses with the transition to Making Tax Digital. For those businesses who are digitally excluded it is the intention of the Government to exempt them from Making Tax Digital and the consultations have sought feedback on the appropriate criteria. The Government will publish its response to the consultations in January. At the Autumn Statement 2016, the Government announced £1 billion of new funding to boost UK's digital infrastructure. This includes further rollout of fibre broadband networks, enabling faster connections for businesses, helping build a better more productive economy for all. The majority of businesses, whether VAT registered or not, want to get their tax right, but the recent tax gap figures show that too many business still find that hard. Making Tax Digital will reduce the likelihood of time-consuming errors, lower the chance of compliance checks and give businesses greater certainty that they are getting things right. VAT registered businesses will be able to provide a single update covering both income tax and VAT if they wish.

Business: Taxation

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish an analysis of the estimated tax gap caused by unincorporated businesses; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of this tax gap attributable to (a) unrepresented business and (b) businesses represented by agents.

Jane Ellison: Estimates of the tax gap were published in Measuring Tax Gaps on 20 October 2016 and are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps. The estimated tax gap for self-assessed business taxpayers in 2014-15 is £6.0 billion. This excludes the tax gap due to VAT, the hidden economy and employer contributions through Pay As You Earn, which is not available by legal entity. Estimates of the tax gap attributable to represented and unrepresented unincorporated businesses are not available; however, HM Revenue and Customs has estimated that 70 per cent of small- and medium-sized enterprises are represented.

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Paul Blomfield: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 1 March 2016 to Question 25631, and pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2016 to Question 40988, whether HM Revenue and Customs has completed its investigations into the six social care companies; and what recent assessment he has made of the extent of national minimum wage compliance in the social care sector.

Jane Ellison: The Government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW or NLW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reviews all complaints that are referred to them. HMRC has completed all the investigations into the six social care companies. HMRC continues to be aware of the risks of underpayment of NMW and NLW in the social care sector and is prioritising complaints from workers; working with other agencies and departments to raise awareness of the rules; and undertaking targeted enforcement to ensure that workers are paid what they are legally owed.

Combined Authorities: Finance

Ian Austin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support his Department is offering to combined authorities to help fund non-transport infrastructure projects.

Mr David Gauke: The government has agreed multiple mayoral devolution agreements across England. These agreements will give mayoral combined authorities significant new powers over improved transport, planning, skills and employment as well as giving them control of additional investment funds to boost economic growth. As announced at the Autumn Statement, the government will also give mayoral combined authorities powers to borrow for their new functions, which will allow them to invest in economically productive infrastructure, subject to agreeing a borrowing cap with HM Treasury.

Research: Finance

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.29 of the Autumn Statement 2016, how much of the additional £4.7 billion for research and development will be spent in each region.

Mr David Gauke: UK R&D funding is awarded at a national level, using robust processes on the basis of scientific excellence, by bringing in independent academics who select the best proposals using peer review. Research and funding council figures show that the Devolved Administrations receive a share of R&D funding that is in proportion to their total population.

Health Services: Greater Manchester

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.36 of the Autumn Statement 2016, if he will take steps to ensure that the £400 million Patient capital funding supports new ventures in Greater Manchester.

Mr David Gauke: Current programmes run by the British Business Bank support £560m of lending to and investment into firms in the Greater Manchester area. While the new £400m investment into venture capital will be operated on a national basis to maximise its impact, this and other programmes will continue to support firms in the Greater Manchester area to obtain the finance that they need to grow.

Public Private Partnerships

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.37 of the Autumn Statement 2016, what the (a) bidding and (b) assessment process will be for the new pipeline of projects suitable for delivery through the PF2 Public Private Partnership scheme.

Mr David Gauke: All public procurements are governed by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The bidding process for projects suitable for delivery through PF2 will follow these regulations. The assessment and appraisal for any new PF2 projects will follow Green Book principles.

Local Enterprise Partnerships: Finance

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.4 of the Autumn Statement 2016, how much of the funding for Local Enterprise Partnerships will be allocated to (a) the North West, (b) the North East, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber, (d) the East Midlands, (e) the West Midlands, (f) the South East and (g) London.

Mr David Gauke: The Autumn Statement announced that the government will award £1.8 billion to Local Enterprise Partnerships across England. £556 million of this will go to the North of England, £392 million to LEPs in the Midlands, £151 million to the East of England, £492 million to London and the South East, and £191 million to the South West. Awards to individual LEPs will be announced by DCLG in the coming months.

National Productivity Investment Fund

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding will be allocated to each region under the National Productivity Investment Fund announced in the Autumn Statement 2016.

Mr David Gauke: The government has established a National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) to provide £23bn of additional spending between 2017/18 and 2021/22. Every penny spent by the UK government is explicitly earmarked for areas that are critical to boosting productivity: economic infrastructure (transport and digital communications), Research and Development (R&D), and housing. Further details about specifically how and where this money will be invested will be set out in due course. Where spending on measures within the NPIF does not extend to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the devolved administrations will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way.

West Midlands Combined Authority: Borrowing

Ian Austin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic effect of granting the West Midlands Combined Authority the power to borrow to fund non-transport infrastructure projects.

Mr David Gauke: As announced in the Autumn Statement, the government will give mayoral combined authorities powers to borrow for their new functions, which will allow them to invest in economically productive infrastructure, subject to agreeing a borrowing cap with HM Treasury.

West Midlands Combined Authority: Borrowing

Ian Austin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will grant borrowing powers to the West Midlands Combined Authority for non-transport infrastructure projects.

Mr David Gauke: As announced in the Autumn Statement, the government will give mayoral combined authorities powers to borrow for their new functions, which will allow them to invest in economically productive infrastructure, subject to agreeing a borrowing cap with HM Treasury.

Transport: Finance

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.18 of the Autumn Statement 2016, how much of the proposed £390 million funding for future transport will be spent in each region.

Mr David Gauke: £290m funding for future transport has been provided to the Department for Transport for buses and taxis (£150m), the Plug-In Car Grant (£40m), charging infrastructure (£80m) and renewable fuels (£20m). £100m has been provided to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for infrastructure for testing connected and autonomous vehicles. The exact allocation of this funding will be a decision for the departments and it is therefore not possible at this stage to be specific about the regions in which this will be spent.

Transport: Finance

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.17 of the Autumn Statement 2016, what proportion of the proposed £1.1 billion funding for roads and local transport will be spent in each region.

Mr David Gauke: At Autumn Statement the government announced an additional £1.1 billion funding to relieve congestion and deliver upgrades on local roads and public transport networks. Further announcements on the allocation of this funding will be made by Department of Transport in due course.

Bank Services

David Warburton: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on applications of appeals processes for commercial banking overdraft refusals being conducted by the same bank which originally refused the application; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) changing that process and (b) taking steps to make the process more transparent.

Simon Kirby: The Treasury has not made an assessment of the effect on applications in the Appeals Process for SME lending being conducted by the same bank which originally refused the application. The Appeals Process is a voluntary initiative by the major banks and is overseen by Professor Russel Griggs, the Independent External Reviewer to the process. Since 2011, over 17,000 appeals have been made of which 32% have led to overturned decisions. It is estimated that the Appeals process has put back around £100m of lending into the economy since its inception. Professor Griggs publishes regular reports on the Appeals Process, looking at both implementation and outcomes. The latest report can be found at:http://betterbusinessfinance.co.uk/images/pdfs/Annual_Report_2016_(Year_5)_Final.pdf

Air Passenger Duty

Jim McMahon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on reforming the reporting of air passenger duty to attribute that duty to each airport.

Jane Ellison: Air Passenger Duty (APD) is a tax levied on airlines with respect to any passengers departing from a UK airport. Airlines aggregate their full APD liabilities when making payments, and there is no requirement on them to attribute this to particular flights. The government does not believe that any benefits from reforming the reporting process would outweigh the additional administrative burdens on taxpayers.

Insurance: Competition

Chris Leslie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking as part of the negotiations for the UK to leave the EU to improve the competitiveness of the UK insurance industry.

Simon Kirby: The UK insurance industry is the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. The government is aware of the important contribution of insurance to the nation’s economy and it is also keen to ensure the industry remains competitive as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. The steps we will take in the EU negotiations will be to achieve the best possible deal for the financial services sector as a whole. In the meantime, the government continues to improve competitiveness and encourage growth in the sector. For example, as announced in the Autumn Statement, the government is consulting on draft regulations which will introduce a competitive regulatory and tax regime for Insurance Linked Securities in the UK. The regulations are designed to allow the UK to compete in this innovative area and will enhance our position as a global insurance hub.

Credit: Fraud

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many criminal prosecutions there were against illegal consumer credit providers by the Financial Conduct Authority in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.

Simon Kirby: This question has been passed on to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA will reply to directly to the Honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Local Growth Deals: West Midlands

Jack Dromey: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much Growth Deal funding he plans to make available to the Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority from May 2017.

Mr David Gauke: The Autumn Statement announced that the government will award £1.8 billion to Local Enterprise Partnerships across England. LEPs in the Midlands will receive a total of £392 million. Funding awarded to the West Midlands Combined Authority will be on top of the £162.7m already made available to the Black Country LEP from 2015/16, £89.4m to Coventry and Warwickshire and £378.8m to the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP. Awards to individual LEPs will be announced in the coming months.

Prime Minister

10 Downing Street: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Prime Minister, what (a) facilities and (b) other support 10 Downing Street provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Mrs Theresa May: Both facilities and support are provided for staff and visitors.

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016 to Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of  his  department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Damian Hinds: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical.The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Social Security Benefits

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claimants affected by the recent reduction in the benefit cap in (a) the constituency of Tottenham, (b) the London Borough of Haringey and (c) in total are in receipt of (i) jobseeker's allowance, (ii) employment support allowance, (iii) income support, (iv) housing benefit and (v) another benefit.

Caroline Nokes: The information is provided in the table below. Estimated breakdown of households affected by the lower cap levels by benefit receipt, 2016/17, GB Benefit ReceivedProportion of Capped HouseholdsTottenham constituencyLondon Borough of HaringeyGreat BritainEmployment and Support Allowance24%23%21%Income Support49%45%49%Jobseeker's Allowance16%21%21%Other11%11%9%Total (Housing Benefit)100%100%100% These estimates focus on the benefit cap continuing to be applied under Housing Benefit and therefore all households affected will be in receipt of Housing Benefit. The benefit cap will increasingly be applied under Universal Credit as it gradually rolls out. Universal Credit will replace Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-based Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit, along with Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Notes:Figures may not sum due to rounding.Estimates assume no behavioural responses - any behavioural responses to the lower cap, such as claimants moving into employment, would cause the number of households affected to reduce and may change the proportional split.The methodology used to estimate the households affected by the cap is consistent with that described in the latest impact assessment published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-reform-and-work-act-impact-assessment-for-the-benefit-cap

Department for Work and Pensions: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Caroline Nokes: In relation to its staff the Department provides suitable rest facilities, including the facility to lie down for both pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in its offices. Breastfeeding mothers are given access to a private room or area for the purpose of expressing milk and access to a secure clean refrigerator to store such milk. It also ensures that a New and Expectant Mothers risk assessment is carried out with the woman as required. In relation to customers visiting DWP premises, the Department recognises that breastfeeding women are entitled to breastfeed in its premises. Whilst some women may be content to breastfeed in public areas, a private area may also be required. As far as it is practical to do so the Department accommodates any requests for a private area for mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk. It is unlawful to discriminate against a woman who wishes to breastfeed her child, even if other customers complain. The Department has raised awareness of this by developing internal guidance and communications for staff, ensuring that women who are visiting DWP premises and who need to breastfeed are not treated unfairly.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 16 November 2016 to Questions 52327 and 52328, on housing benefit: social rented housing, whether his Department plans to consult on further exemptions to the shared accommodation rate.

Caroline Nokes: The existing exemptions that already apply to private rented sector tenants will be extended into the social rented sector. Those living in supported accommodation will be exempt from the Shared Accommodation Rate from 2019/20. Individuals who don’t fall within one of the exemptions may apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment if they require more support, and we have already committed £870 million in overall DHP funding over the next five years.

Food Banks: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of people who have been signposted or referred to a food bank by each Jobcentre Plus office in Scotland in the last 12 months.

Damian Hinds: The information requested is not available.

Trussell Trust

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the statistics on emergency food aid released by the Trussell Trust on 8 November 2016.

Damian Hinds: It is widely acknowledged that the reasons people use food banks are complex and overlapping. It is misleading to link them to any one cause. The vast majority of benefits are paid on time and we have made huge improvements to the service we provide.

Department for Work and Pensions: Departmental Responsibilities

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many projects in operation in his Department are related to the UK's exit of the EU.

Damian Hinds: The Prime Minister has instructed all departments to identify potential opportunities that will arise in their areas from EU Exit. Officials in the department are engaging with teams in the Department for Exiting the European Union to consider the implications of exiting the EU on DWP projects and policy objectives.

Means-tested Benefits: Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many hardship payments have been issued by his Department to people living in Greater Manchester in each year since 2012.

Damian Hinds: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Greater Manchester have been classified as under occupying their homes in each year since 2012.

Caroline Nokes: The figures requested are in the table below: Households classified as under-occupying: Greater Manchester, 2013-2016  ThousandsAug-201335.4Aug-201431.1Aug-201527.9Aug-201625.0  Notes:Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.Figures are numbers of households receiving Housing Benefit with a spare room subsidy deduction. This policy only affects working age households in the social rented sector.Figures have not been provided for August 2012 as the social rented sector spare room subsidy policy did not exist until April 2013.A small number of households now receive their housing support through Universal Credit. The table covers Housing Benefit only as equivalent Universal Credit data are not yet available.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobseeker's allowance claimants in Greater Manchester have had their benefits suspended in each year since 2012.

Damian Hinds: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Home Office

Immigration

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have applied for leave to remain in the UK as a stateless person since 2013; and how many such applications have been successful.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who have applied for leave to remain as a stateless person in the UK have claimed asylum in each of the last five years.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have successfully applied for leave to remain in the UK as a stateless person in each of the last five years because their country of origin will not readmit them on the grounds of that country (a) refusing to issue the necessary documentation and (b) taking away their citizenship after prolonged residence in another country.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office Stateless policy is designed to assist those who do not qualify for protection but are unable to return to the country of their former habitual residence because they are stateless and would not be admitted to any other country. The requirements are set out in the Immigration Rules and reflect our obligations under the 1954 UN Convention relating to the status of stateless persons.Home Office records indicate a total of 1665 people have applied for leave to remain as a Stateless person since 2013. Of these applications, 41 have been granted leave.The number grant leave as stateless is low, in all cases, the burden of proof rests with the applicant to provide information to demonstrate they are stateless and that there is no country to which they can be removed. Paragraph 403(d) of the Rules requires applicants to obtain and submit all reasonably available evidence to enable the Secretary of State to determine whether they are stateless and whether they qualify for stateless leave. It is not enough, for example, for the applicant to rely upon a simple and unsupported assertion of statelessness, or to provide no explanation or evidence in support of the application, particularly where this runs contrary to previously available factual information.Paragraph 404 of the Immigration rules sets out the general reasons for refusal of Limited Leave to Remain as a stateless person. It states that an applicant will be refused leave to remain in the United Kingdom as stateless person if: (a) they do not meet the requirements of paragraph 403; or (b) there are reasonable grounds for considering that they are: (i) a danger to the security of the United Kingdom; (ii) a danger to the public order of the United Kingdom; or (c) their application would fall to be refused under any of the grounds set out in paragraph 322 of these Rules.Home Office records indicate that a total of 241 people who applied for leave as a stateless person have applied for Asylum in the past 5 years. This breaks down as 43 in 2011, 59 in 2012, 41 in 2013, 52 in 2014, 33 in 2015, 13 in 2016 (up to and including 30 June 2016). Data has been provided by the Performance Reporting and Analysis Unit and internally quality assured. These statistics have been taken from a live operational database. As such numbers may change as information on that system is updated.The information requested on the reason people have been successful in their application is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Entry Clearances: English Language

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of students who have taken the Test of English for International Communication tests administered by the Educational Testing Service; and how many such students have been detained or deported.

Mr Robert Goodwill: All published information relating to ETS is in the UKVI Transparency Data which was most recently updated on 25 August 2016. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-and-permanent-migration-data-august-2016

Fraud: Shares

Roger Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many successful prosecutions have resulted from Operation RICO.

Brandon Lewis: This information is held by the City of London Police.

Police: Dogs

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police dogs were assaulted in the line of duty in each year since 2009-10.

Brandon Lewis: This information is not centrally held.

Israel: Travel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the extension of the UK Registered Travel Service to Israeli citizens will have any conditions or exemptions to those Israeli citizens who (a) live in settlements in the West Bank, (b) take part in demolitions or settlement constructors in the West Bank, (c) operate on land expropriated from Palestinians, (d) exploit non-renewable resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and (e) are in breach of other areas of international law.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Registered Traveller Service (RTS) is a secure membership service which provides expedited border clearance to carefully vetted individuals from a specific number of approved countries/territories including Israel.Individuals must meet the usual criteria for entry to the UK. Applicants undergo advanced security checks which allows Border Force to make an assessment of whether or not the applicant is suitable to join or remain on the Service. Applicants with any criminal convictions are automatically excluded from consideration for the Registered Traveller Service.

Torture

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will issue a response to the report by Freedom from Torture, Proving Torture: Demanding the Impossible, Home Office mistreatment of expert medical evidence; and if she will assess the implications for her  Department's policies of the findings of that report.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The underlying policy objective when processing claims involving allegations of torture or serious harm and when considering medical evidence in the context of an asylum claim is to ensure that all relevant medico-legal (and any other) evidence provided in support of the claim is properly considered and given appropriate weight.We consider all asylum claims in a sensitive manner on an individual, objective and impartial basis ensuring that all cases are managed effectively throughout the asylum process to avoid unnecessary delay.The policy guidance sets out how to properly consider, and afford appropriate weight to, medico-legal evidence as part of a claim for protection. It states explicitly that it is not the role of decision makers to dispute clinical findings in the medico-legal reports or make clinical judgments of their own about medical evidence or medical matters generally and all decision makers are trained in the application of this policy.Officials will review the cases that are referred to in the report and will continue to work closely with Freedom from Torture and others to review and develop further our policy and training

Home Office: Departmental Responsibilities

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many projects in operation in her Department are related to the UK's exit of the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Prime Minister has instructed all departments to identify potential opportunities that will arise in their areas from EU Exit.DExEU is working closely with every Government department to ensure that the full range of opportunities are taken, and risks mitigated, across every area of Government policy.A central unit has been established to coordinate EU exit work across the Home Office and act as a central contact for the Department for Exiting the EU. Units across the Home Office are also feeding into this work.

Elections: Tower Hamlets

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the operational names given by the Metropolitan Police were to recent investigations into election offences in Tower Hamlets.

Brandon Lewis: Decisions around operational names linked to specific police investigations are an operational matter for the force concerned.

Refugees: Sponsorship

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the private sponsorship of refugees scheme introduced in Canada.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The UK launched its community sponsorship scheme in July this year, drawing on the learning from Canada and have recently conducted a study visit to Canada to inform the continued development of the scheme. With over 30 years experience of resettling refugees, there is much to learn from the Canadian approach and we will continue to work with the Canadian government and civil society as we develop our approach in the UK.

Higher Education: Finance

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answers of 17 November 2016 to Question 52097 and 22 November 2016 to Question 53632, on higher education: finance, what assessment she has made of the effect of proposed changes to the student and work route of entry on fee income estimates.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There will continue to be no limit on the number of genuine international students who can come to the UK to study. We are considering what more we can do to strengthen the system to support the best universities — and those that stick to the rules — to attract the best talent.

Fisheries: Migrant Workers

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to ensure the timely resolution of immigration queries relating to people working on fishing boats.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office does not break down immigration queries by sector.However, UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI's) customer service teams have a service standard of answering 95% of written immigration enquiries within 20 working days.Each customer service team, including for Members’ correspondence, has a Standard Operating Procedure in place to ensure that replies are handled in a timely manner, or that the customer is contacted if the service standard cannot be met. Performance is closely monitored at a local and senior level.Customers may also use UKVI's Customer Contact Centre where they are sign posted to relevant information available on the gov.uk website.

Skilled Workers

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department's definition of a skilled worker includes labourers on fishing boats.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The skills threshold for the admission of a non-EEA skilled worker under Tier 2 is that the job the worker is coming to do is skilled to National Qualifications Framework Level 6 (graduate level).

Immigration: Northern Ireland

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigration queries have come from Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; and which industry sectors each of those queries related to.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Refugees: Children

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the French  government on the welfare of unaccompanied minors living in the vicinity of the demolished refugee camp in Calais.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The protection of migrants in France remains the responsibility of the French Government. We are continuing to work closely with the French authorities to identify unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are eligible to come to the UK. The French Government has confirmed that all unaccompanied children present in the camp in Calais have been moved to specialist facilities across France. Specialist Home Office staff are attending these centres, along with social workers and interpreters, to make sure those children who may be eligible continue to be assessed and can be transferred as quickly as possible to the UK.

Immigrants: Health Services

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy not to charge the immigration health surcharge for repeat visa applications where the applicant has been living working and paying national insurance contributions in the UK since their previous application.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The immigration health surcharge, set at £200 a year for temporary migrants and £150 a year for students and youth mobility scheme visa applicants, is lower than the estimated per capita cost to the NHS of providing treatment to temporary migrants.It is a migrant’s immigration status that determines whether they pay the surcharge. Temporary migrants have not built up the long-term relationship and contribution to the UK that a permanent resident has built up, and will build up, over the course of their lifetime. The Government does recognise, however, that temporary migrants may contribute to the economy in a number of ways, including by paying income tax and national insurance and this contribution is reflected in the surcharge levels stated above, which are designed to represent a fair contribution towards the cost of providing the full range of NHS services available to surcharge payers.

Deportation: Democratic Republic of Congo

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to assess the safety of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the purposes of removing people from the UK to that country.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The issue of safety of return of failed asylum seekers (FAS) and foreign national offenders (FNOs) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was considered by the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber in March 2015 in the case of BM and Others. The Tribunal found that there was no substantiated evidence that FAS or FNOs were at risk per se on return.All returns to the DRC, including those persons who raise a protection claim, are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account their individual facts, credible and up-to-date country of origin information, and relevant caselaw.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2016 to Question 51921, who is given responsibility to carry out the specialist international assurance function in relation to tier 4 decisions; and what steps she has taken to guarantee the independence of that function.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The International Correspondence and Quality Assurance Team carries out quality assurance reviews on entry clearance decisions, including in relation to Tier 4 decisions. The team is responsible for post decision correspondence work, including appeals and administrative reviews. The team does not make any initial decisions on entry clearance applications, and operates separately from the decision making teams.Entry Clearance decisions may also be subject to review at different stages of the application process, as part of UK Visa and Immigration's overall internal assurance framework. The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration also conducts regular reviews of the efficiency and effectiveness of the visa service.

Asylum: Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applications for asylum seekers housed in Greater Manchester have been refused in each year since 2010.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Data on the place of residence at the time of initial decision could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The latest version of the asylum transparency agenda can be found at: Asylum transparency data: August 2016 - Publications - GOV.UK

Northern Ireland Office

National Asset Management Agency: Northern Ireland

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the National Crime Agency on its investigations into allegations of political influence on the operations of the National Assets Management Agency in Northern Ireland.

James Brokenshire: As this is an operational matter for the National Crime Agency, I have not discussed this issue with them.

Northern Ireland Office: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

James Brokenshire: Private areas are available in both the London and Belfast offices for use by nursing mothers. The Department’s maternity leave guidance states that managers must ensure that suitable rest facilities are available for mothers to breastfeed or express milk and to be flexible about giving breaks to enable them to do so. In addition, the Ministry of Justice has a new and expectant parent network to which staff have access. This provides support to staff and advice and assistance on parental issues.

Department of Health

Patients: Travel

Caroline Ansell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure greater cohesion and integration between clinical commissioning groups to better enable the transfer of patients to their local hospital to receive treatment or an MRI test and so prevent unnecessary travel costs for the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

David Mowat: Determining the location of services is a matter for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), based on their clinical expertise and the providers in their local health economy.National Health Service organisations, including providers and CCGs, are in the process of coming together to develop Sustainability and Transformation Plans across 44 footprints. They are considering how best to provide healthcare to people in the right setting. In doing this, they will wish to consider patient travel times.

Neuromuscular Disorders: South East

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with muscle-wasting conditions living in (a) Kent, (b) Surrey and (c) Sussex have access to a neuromuscular care advisor close to their home.

David Mowat: Since 1 April 2013, NHS England has been responsible for commissioning specialised neurological services, which includes services for patients with neuromuscular disorders. NHS England has published a service specification for neurological care, which sets out what providers must have in place to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services. The specification can be found at:www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d04-neurosci-spec-neuro.pdf NHS England advises that, until summer 2016, a neuromuscular care advisor was in post at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the main neurosciences centre for the south east, and provided a co-ordinator service to London and the south east of England. Since the post holder left the role, the Trust has been reviewing the post and funding mechanisms. NHS England advises that a number of meetings have taken place and a business case has been developed to take to clinical commissioning groups to agree funding and the service model. The Department is advised that the Sussex Collaborative of National Health Service organisations has confirmed that it is planning to employ a care advisor.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many recorded cases there have been of each type of nosocomial condition by NHS England in each year since 2000.

Mr Philip Dunne: Public Health England (PHE) was established in 2013. The rate of infection for the nosocomial conditions since 2013 is shown in the table below. Table 1 - Counts of trust-apportioned infections by financial year since April 2013Nosocomial conditionApril 2013 to March 2014April 2014 to March 2015April 2015 to March 2016Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus or (MSSA)2,6962,8042,910Escherichia coli (E.coli)7,5587,3697,692Clostridium. Difficile Infection (patients aged two years and over)5,0345,2335,164Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)364285297 PHE retains data collected by the Health Protection Agency since 2007. Surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection began in 2007, trust-apportioned MRSA in 2008, trust-apportioned MSSA in 2011 and E. coli in 2013. Cases are published according to trust apportionment on a financial year basis, although for MRSA this has been superseded by an assignment process based on post-infections reviews since April 2013. Data collected prior to PHE’s formation is found in table 2. Table 2 - Data collected prior to PHE’s formation in 2013 Nosocomial conditionApril 2007 to March 2008April 2008 to March 2009April 2009 to March 2010April 2010 to March 2011April 2011 to March 2012April 2012 to March 2013MSSANDNDNDND2,8542,700E.coliNDNDNDNDNDNDClostridium. Difficile Infection (patients aged two years and over)33,43419,92713,22010,4177,6895,980MRSAND1,6061,004688473398 Notes:- ND - Not Determined- Cases are deemed to be trust-apportioned if the following criteria are met:- The location where the specimen was taken is given as ‘acute Trust’ or is not known;- The patient was either an ‘In-patient’, ‘Day-patient’, in ‘Emergency assessment’ or is not known;- Patient’s specimen date is on, or after, the third day of the admission (or admission date is null), where the day of admission is day 1 (for MSSA or E. coli bacteraemia);Or- Patient’s specimen date is on, or after, the fourth day of the admission (or admission date is null), where the day of admission is day 1 (for Clostridium difficile infection).

Antibiotics

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the level of antibiotics use has been in each year since 2000.

Nicola Blackwood: Public Health England (PHE) was established in 2013. Data collected by PHE since 2013 along with data collected by the Health Protection Agency from 2010-12 can be found in table 1. Table 1: Total antibiotic consumption, expressed as Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day, England, 2010-2015 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per daySetting201020112012201320142015General Practice15.716.117.316.716.916.2Other community0.60.60.60.60.60.7Dentist0.6*1.11.11.11.11.0Hospital inpatient2.22.22.32.42.52.4Hospital outpatient1.61.61.61.71.71.6Total20.721.622.922.522.821.8*Data only available from June 2010 rather than start of the calendar year

Nivolumab

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NICE plans to publish its guidance on the commissioning of Nivolumab for the treatment of breast cancer.

Nicola Blackwood: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has not been asked to develop guidance on nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment of breast cancer. Nivolumab is currently undergoing clinical trials on its potential use as a treatment for breast cancer, but does not currently have a marketing authorisation for use in this indication.

Department of Health: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

David Mowat: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the European Union. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the United Kingdom. The Bill will convert existing EU law into domestic law, wherever practical. The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is expected to make a recommendation on the issuing of HPV vaccination for adolescent boys.

Nicola Blackwood: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), advises Ministers on immunisation related issues, is currently in the process of considering the impact and cost-effectiveness of extending the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to adolescent boys. The JCVI will need to consider mathematical modelling by Public Health England (PHE) on the impact and cost effectiveness of extending the HPV vaccination to adolescent boys, ahead of developing its advice. PHE is expected to report its modelling assessment to the Committee in early 2017. The JCVI will consider the analysis from PHE at the earliest opportunity. Once the Committee is satisfied it has reviewed all the necessary evidence it will then be expected to make its advice.

Human Papillomavirus: Homosexuality

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of men who have sex with men are estimated to have been infected with the human papilloma virus strains covered by the quadrivalent vaccine at an age prior to the average age of first attendance by men who have sex with men at Genitourinary medicine and HIV clinics.

Nicola Blackwood: Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is not routinely performed hence we have no data on HPV infection at, or prior to, attendance at sexual health clinics. Public Health England (PHE) has previously reported that the median age of first attendance of men who have sex with men (MSM) at genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics in England between 2010 and 2012 was 31 years old. A single-site study of HPV prevalence amongst MSM attending a GUM clinic in central London found a prevalence of HPV16/18/6/11 amongst men aged 18-40 years of 32.5%. Many HPV infections clear naturally. MSM who do not attend GUM clinics may have different prevalence of HPV than MSM who do attend GUM clinics. PHE has used mathematical modelling to estimate HPV infection rates by age in work to inform the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) advice regarding the vaccination of MSM attending GUM clinics: this work has been described in the relevant JCVI minutes and full modelling details will be published shortly.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's assessment of the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination for boys includes the (a) social care, (b) social security and (c) other costs of HPV-related diseases that are not borne directly by the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Nicola Blackwood: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) follows standard guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on mathematical modelling and cost-effectiveness. This means that the JCVI takes into account the costs and benefits of a programme from a health perspective to ensure that the best possible health outcomes are delivered from the health, and where relevant, social care budgets. The JCVI expects to receive a report from Public Health England in early 2017 on the impact and cost effectiveness of extending the human papillomavirus vaccination to adolescent boys. As part of its considerations the JCVI will review whether all appropriate costs and benefits have been taken into account.

Transplant Surgery: China

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has held with medical practitioners on preventing patients from travelling to China for organ transplants.

Nicola Blackwood: There have been no such discussions. Patients cannot be prevented from travelling to China but should be aware of the risks, including possible prosecution, poor donor care, poorer graft survival, infection and in extreme cases, death. The Government supports the establishment of lawful and ethical organ donation and transplantation programmes to address the world-wide shortage of organs for transplant and a range of action to discourage organ trafficking, transplant tourism and commercialism. The United Kingdom formally signed the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Organs on 25 March 2015 and has laws and protocols in place to ensure well-regulated practice to prevent organ trafficking in the UK.

Health: Weather

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment his Department has made of the correlation between high incidences of medical conditions and the changing of the seasons.

Nicola Blackwood: There is a well-established relationship between weather and health; many diseases have seasonal patterns. More people die, or are admitted to hospital, during the winter than any other time of year. There are around 25,000 excess winter deaths each year in England; for every one excess winter death there are approximately eight extra hospital admissions.Some groups, such as older people, very young children, and people with serious medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. Hot weather also affects health. Temperatures in excess of approximately 25ºC are associated with increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as excess mortality. Some groups, such as older people, very young children, and people with serious medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. Public Health England (PHE) coordinates the Heatwave Plan and the Cold Weather Plan for England, which aim to raise both public and professional awareness of the health impacts of severe heat and cold weather. NHS England and PHE run the ‘Stay Well This Winter’ campaign annually to encourage people who are particularly at risk of being admitted to hospital during the winter to take actions to help them stay well. This includes information on how to stay warm, keep the home warm and how to access financial help to heat the home.

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Medical Treatments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the prospective timetable for new treatments to be made available for retinitis pigmentosa.

David Mowat: The Department does not hold information on when new treatments will be available for retinitis pigmentosa. It is for local National Health Service commissioners to make decisions on whether to fund new treatments, taking into account National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, available evidence and individual patient’s clinical circumstances.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has requested legal advice on whether HPV vaccination for boys is required under the terms of equality legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to conduct an equality impact assessment of HPV vaccination for boys; and whether any such assessment will take place before or after a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Nicola Blackwood: The Secretary of State for Health is under the public sector equality duty (PSED) including in relation to policies such as new vaccination programmes. Complying with the PSED requires that there is consideration of equality issues during the decision making process and implementation. The consideration of such equality issues will take place as part of the policy making process concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for boys.

Breast Cancer: Drugs

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether all breast cancer patients for whom bisphosphonates would be a beneficial treatment are able to access such medication on the NHS.

Nicola Blackwood: Prescribing decisions are for clinicians taking into account their patients’ individual clinical circumstances. Bisphosphonates are not licensed for the treatment or prevention of secondary breast cancer. However clinicians can prescribe bisphosphonates ‘off-license’ if they consider them to be clinically appropriate for an individual, as current prescribing arrangements already allow off-license drugs that are found to have new uses to be prescribed to patients. There is no funding, legal or regulatory barrier to prescribing drugs off license. Prescribing in this way is part of normal every day clinical practice and offers benefits to a great number of patients.

Health: Aircraft

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential effect of steps to increase capacity on planes by reducing legroom on the health of passengers.

Nicola Blackwood: There have been no discussions with my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential effect of steps to increase capacity on planes by reducing legroom on the health of passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority under the Civil Aviation Act 2006, has a general duty to safeguard the health of all persons on board aircraft. This duty includes both passengers and air crew.

Strokes: Eggs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with clinical bodies on the potential benefits of egg consumption in preventing strokes.

Nicola Blackwood: There have been no discussions between Public Health England and clinical bodies on the potential benefits of egg consumption in preventing strokes. A healthy balanced diet with maintenance of a healthy body weight has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. Eggs are included in the national food model, the Eatwell Guide. As part of this, the Government recommends people eat some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein. Eggs are considered to make a valuable contribution to a healthy, balanced diet.

Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to address increasing rates of cancer in people of middle age.

David Mowat: A total of 280,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year, a number which has been growing by around 2% annually. This rise is attributed to an ageing and growing population as well as changing lifestyle factors. In 2015-16 there were over 822,000 more general practitioner (GP) referrals seen by a specialist for suspected cancer, an increase of 91% compared to 2009-10. Spearheading a radical upgrade in prevention and public health is a priority for this Government, and was clearly highlighted in the report Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes (2015) by the Independent Cancer Taskforce. The Government has accepted all 96 of the report’s recommendations to improve survival rates for all age groups and save more lives. An implementation plan, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: Taking the strategy forward, was published on 12 May 2016 and aims to significantly reduce the 40% of cancers caused by behavioural, lifestyle and environmental factors. As part of this the Government published the national childhood obesity strategy in August 2016, and is currently developing a Tobacco Control Plan and an alcohol evidence review to prevent more cancers.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Miscarriage

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to address the incidence of post-traumatic stress syndrome among women who have had miscarriages.

Nicola Blackwood: Losing a pregnancy is a tragic event and clinical guidelines are clear that women should be offered sensitive, responsive care and the option of follow-up support that takes into account their mental health needs, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sleep: Nutrition

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with clinical bodies on the potential connection between lack of sleep and over-eating.

Nicola Blackwood: Officials from the Department and Public Health England have not had any discussions with clinical bodies on the potential connection between lack of sleep and over-eating.

Sepsis: Testing

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for the four-hour sepsis blood-test to be made available on the NHS.

Nicola Blackwood: A number of research groups are working on rapid tests for sepsis and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides the National Health Service in England with advice on methodology. NICE last reviewed the evidence on sepsis earlier this year and did not recommend that any specific tests for sepsis were supported by sufficient evidence to recommend them routinely. We understand that a rapid sepsis blood test developed in Texas is about to be put into a clinical trial but it is too early to assess it.

Health Lottery

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has received from the Health Lottery ELM Limited in each of the last five years.

David Mowat: The Health Lottery ELM Limited is not a customer of the Department and central records indicate that the Department has not received any funds from the Health Lottery ELM Limited within the last five years. The Department also receives funds which are not allocated to a customer. Whilst central records indicate that no funds have been received from Health Lottery ELM Limited to review local records for five years to provide additional confirmation could only be performed at disproportionate cost.

Department of Health: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

David Mowat: The Department’s Richmond House, Skipton House, Wellington House and Quarry House buildings have a nursing mothers room available with fridges available for the storage of breast milk.

Dementia

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will introduce a new public health campaign to increase awareness of (a) prevention and (b) early intervention for avoiding the onset of dementia.

David Mowat: The February 2015 ‘Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020’ publication set out an ambition for improved public awareness and understanding of the factors which increase the risk of developing dementia and of how people can reduce their risk by living more healthily.Public Health England’s One You campaign launched in March 2016 aims to give adults the motivation and support they need to make simple lifestyle changes to improve their health now, and reduce the risk of developing conditions like dementia in the future. This includes things like eating well, moving more, quitting smoking and drinking less.

Dementia

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what provision is in place for people with dementia who go on to develop a co-morbid health condition.

David Mowat: Every person with dementia should have high quality care following their diagnosis which supports them and those around them. What this means in practice will differ from person to person but following diagnosis people should have a personalised care plan that sets out how their needs will be met taking account of co-morbidities and relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality standards.

Haematological Cancer

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on NHS England's decision to stop funding second stem cell transplants for blood cancer patients; and if he will make a statement.

David Mowat: The Department has received representations from a range of individuals and organisations including the charity Anthony Nolan. Decisions related to the commissioning of National Health Service treatments in England are made by NHS England using a published process that involves an impact assessment.

Care Homes: Inspections

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2016 to Question 53061, how many care homes inspected by the Care Quality Commission in 2015-16 did not meet the requirements set out in Regulation 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

David Mowat: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. The CQC has provided the following response: Between 1 January 2015 and 7 November 2016, 312 care homes inspected by the CQC were found in breach of Regulation 14 (meeting nutritional and hydration needs) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The CQC has advised that these figures do not include care homes that are part of National Health Service trusts.

Department of Health: Departmental Responsibilities

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many projects in operation in his Department are related to the UK's exit of the EU.

David Mowat: The Prime Minister has instructed all departments to identify potential opportunities that will arise in their areas from European Union Exit. The Government is united in its ambition to deliver a successful withdrawal from the EU and a new relationship with Europe, and departments will work together to deliver this.

Strokes

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to introduce a new National Stroke Strategy when the existing strategy expires in 2017.

David Mowat: Decisions on whether the National Stroke Strategy should be renewed are a matter for NHS England. Action is being taken to ensure the progress made on stroke continues. This includes: - ongoing work in virtually all parts of the country to organise acute stroke care to ensure that all stroke patients, regardless of where they live or what time of the day or week they have their stroke, have access to high quality specialist care; - publication of the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Outcomes Strategy in 2013, which includes many stroke specific strategic ambitions; - a CVD collaborative group which brings together relevant stakeholders in the field of CVD and provide a forum where relevant work being undertaken in this area and potential new initiatives can be discussed and responsibilities for action determined; - NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Stroke is working with clinical networks, urgent and emergency care networks, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and Sustainability and Transformation Plan areas on how stroke care is best delivered to local communities; and - services for the management of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) are changing in many areas to meet the new standard that all TIA patients should be seen and assessed within 24 hours, not just high risk patients. CCGs are being encouraged to increase the geographical coverage of early supported discharge services. Prevention of stroke and CVDs is also a priority for NHS England, particularly attempting to reduce the very high prevalence of CVD in patients with mental health illness.

Home Care Services: Dementia

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of dementia training provided to homecare workers delivering care to people with dementia.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all homecare workers receive dementia-specific training in every local authority.

David Mowat: The 2020 Dementia Challenge published in February 2015 made clear that, by 2020, we expect social care providers to provide appropriate training on dementia to all relevant staff. The Department estimates that over 100,000 social care workers have already received dementia awareness training. Newly appointed health care assistants and social care support workers, including those providing care and support to people with dementia and their carers, should undergo training as part of the national implementation of the Care Certificate.

Social Services

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make an assessment of the number of people requiring social care who do not receive such care.

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Local Government Association press release, entitled £2.6 billion could be needed to fix social care, published on 13 October 2016, what steps he is taking to reduce the funding gap in social care.

David Mowat: Social care is a means tested service. The Care Act 2014 requires that local authorities must assess any adult who appears to have a care and support need. Where a person has needs which do not meet the national eligibility criteria, as set out in the Care Act, their local authority must provide the person with information and advice on what support is available in the community to meet those needs. The Autumn 2015 Spending Review announced that local authorities who are responsible for social care would have the ability to raise additional funding to spend exclusively on adult social care. If all local authorities use this to its maximum effect it could raise nearly £2 billion a year by 2019-20. 95% of local authorities have taken up the precept in 2016-17, raising £382 million extra for social care this year, in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast. In addition from 2017 the Spending Review made available new funds for social care services, rising to £1.5 billion by 2019-20. This will be made available to local authorities directly and is to be included in an improved Better Care Fund.

Terminal Illnesses: Children

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent steps his Department has taken to support terminally ill children and their families.

David Mowat: The Government believes that every person nearing the end of their life should expect a good death and attentive, dignified and compassionate care. Our publication ‘Our Commitment to you for end of life care: the Government Response to the Review of Choice in End of Life Care (July 2016)’ sets out what everyone should expect from their care at the end of life. There are a number of commitments in relation to children and young people. The Department expects to publish its implementation plan online shortly. We will monitor implementation closely and report on progress in summer 2017 to mark one year on from the publication of the Government response.

Palliative Care: Finance

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to contribute more funding to palliative care organisations.

David Mowat: The Government set out its commitment to everyone at the end of life in the Government response to the independent Review of Choice in End of Life Care and pledged to support local leaders to prioritise and improve end of life care. Levels of National Health Service funded hospice care provision are determined locally by clinical commissioning groups, and they are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local population. Commissioners should identify any gaps in local provision and put in place service development plans to address this identified need. NHS England is developing a per-patient funding system for palliative care, which will support greater quality and choice in end of life care. The aim has been to ensure that palliative care in all settings, including hospices, is funded fairly and transparently. The Government also promotes the National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership’s Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care: a national framework for local action 2015-2010 which sets out six ‘ambitions’ for local delivery of end of life care. The Partnership encourages Health and Wellbeing Boards, chaired by local authority members, to apply the Ambitions Framework to their local area to ensure everyone receives high quality, compassionate and personalised care.

Pregnancy: Sodium Valproate

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the implications are for his policies of the decision by the French parliament to establish a national compensation fund for people affected by the teratogenic effects of sodium valproate.

Nicola Blackwood: Valproate is an effective treatment for epilepsy and bipolar disorder but should only be used in girls and women of childbearing potential if other treatments are ineffective or not tolerated. For some women there may be no other treatment option. Since it was authorised, valproate was known to have risks in pregnancy. Because of ongoing concerns about women’s awareness of the risks, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has worked with professional bodies, voluntary organisations and patient groups to develop a set of materials to aid communication between health professionals and women and girls. The valproate toolkit comprises booklets for healthcare professionals, a reminder card and a guide for women, a checklist for prescribers and clear package labelling carrying a prominent warning about use in pregnancy. In order to monitor the effectiveness of the valproate toolkit, the MHRA has sought feedback from all stakeholders and will continue to work with the Royal Colleges, professional bodies, patient groups and relevant charities to increase awareness of the toolkit among general practitioners, pharmacists and patients. The MHRA’s current priority is working to ensure that women taking valproate are fully aware of the risks in pregnancy. Once this is achieved we will look back and see what lessons have been or could be usefully learnt by examining events.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2016 to Question 53657, what the (a) planned and (b) budgeted spend was for mental health in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2016 to Question 53657, whether the figures provided in that Answer on mental health spending are adjusted for inflation.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2016 to Question 53657, what the difference was between the total mental health spending for 2014-15 and 2015-16 provided in that Answer and the amount of such spending before it was revised to take into account NHS England's planning guidance to clinical commissioning groups on consistent reporting of mental health spending.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2016 to Question 53657, whether the revised baseline has been applied retrospectively to the mental health spending figure for 2014-15 to take into account NHS England's planning guidance to clinical commissioning groups on consistent reporting of mental health spending.

Nicola Blackwood: The planned and budgeted spend for mental health is given below: 2014/15 planned spend £7.89 billion Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), £1.79 billion specialised services, £9.68 billion total. 2014/15 actual spend £8.29 billion CCGs, £1.80 billion specialised services, £10.09 billion total. 2015/16 planned spend £8.67 billion CCGs, £1.86 billion specialised services, £10.53 billion total. 2015/16 actual spend £8.98 billion CCGs, £1.83 billion specialised services, £10.81 billion total. CCGs set planned expenditure taking account of central target requirements like the mental health investment standard as well as an assessment of local needs. Planned and actual expenditure by commissioners is collected by NHS England as part of formal financial reporting. The figures provided are not adjusted for inflation. The difference in total mental health spending by CCGs between 2014/15 and 2015/16 was £0.7 million before rebasing (£8.3 billion 2014/15 total spend versus £9 billion 2015/16 total spend). 2014/15 spend has not been rebased. The rebased figure for 2015/16 spend by CCGs is £9.15 billion.

Health Services: Finance

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the (a) outturn, (b) planned spend and (c) budgeted spend in programme allocation growth for specialist commissioning was in each category in 2014-15 and 2015-16 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms.

David Mowat: The following table outlines outturn and planned spend (which reflects the budgeted spend) in programme allocation growth in the periods 2014-15 and 2015-16. Figures are recorded in cash growth and not real growth terms:£ millionPlanned SpendOutturn2014-1513,95514,1692015-1614,64814,760

Pharmacy: Disadvantaged

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answers of 22 November 2016 to Questions 53110, 53111 and 53107, how many pharmacies qualify for Pharmacy Access Scheme funding in each decile of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

David Mowat: Reviews of eligibility for pharmacies that may have narrowly missed out on the Pharmacy Access Scheme through the distance criteria are currently ongoing. Final numbers are therefore not yet available.

Pharmacy: Finance

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answers of 22 November 2016 to Questions 53110, 53111 and 53107, how many pharmacies will qualify for funding from the Pharmacy Access Scheme in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire, (b) South West Surrey constituency, (c) Ludlow constituency, (d) Oxford West and Abingdon constituency, (e) Warrington South constituency and (f) Maidenhead constituency.

David Mowat: Details of the pharmacies eligible for payment under the Pharmacy Access Scheme are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-pharmacy-reforms

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Meters

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what change there has been in the number of households using pre-payment meters in the last 10 years.

Jesse Norman: Ofgem closely monitors domestic energy supplies’ performance and publishes information on prepayment meters customer accounts in Great Britain. Ofgem does not monitor the gas and electricity supply market in Northern Ireland, as it is devolved matter.The table below shows either the number or proportion of domestic customers paying by prepayment meters in Great Britain in 2006 to 2015. Smart meters operating in pay-as-you-go mode are also classified as PPM for these statistics. Ofgem has changed the way it presents the data on the number of households using pre-payment meters in its Domestic Suppliers Social Obligations annual reports, and this is accounted for in the table below. 200620072008 No. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersNo. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersNo. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersGas2.3--2.3--2.4--Electricity3.6--3.6--3.6--  200920102011 No. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersNo. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersNo. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersGas2.6--2.7--2.91--Electricity3.8--4.0--4.09--  201220132014 No. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersNo. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersNo. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersGas3.09--3.28--3.3915%Electricity4.25--4.42--4.4917%  2015 No. of PPMs customers (millions)Proportion of PPMs customersGas--15.3%Electricity--16.6%

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to identify those responsible for the Medical Research Council's policies towards ME research over the last decade; and if he will seek those people's removal from positions of influence over future of ME research.

Joseph Johnson: Management of individual staff within the Medical Research Council is a matter for the MRC as the legal employer.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will review the policy of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in so far as it relates to addressing the dissatisfaction of ME patients with MRC's approach in this area.

Joseph Johnson: The MRC welcomes applications to support research into any aspect of human health and these are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. Awards are made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. The MRC has promoted research into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalopathy (CFS/ME) through highlight notices for a number of years.Concerning dissatisfaction of patients, I will write to the Chair of the Medical Research Council to request an account of the development of relevant policies and in particular how CFS/ME patients’ views have been considered. I will deposit a copy of his reply in the Libraries of the House.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Joseph Johnson: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical.The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Margot James: The Department’s London offices at 1 Victoria Street, 3 Whitehall Place, and in Aberdeen have lockable rooms available for nursing mothers which include fridges for storing expressed milk, static chairs, and first aid couches.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Government plans to respond to the Independent Review of Tidal Lagoons, led by Charles Hendry.

Jesse Norman: We have not yet received the Hendry Review. The issues being considered by the Review are complex and relate to a new, untried technology. Therefore, Government will need to look carefully at the Review’s findings.

Climate Change Convention

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reasons the UK was not a signatory to the Joint Statement issued by the High Ambition Coalition ministers on 11 November 2016 during the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr Nick Hurd: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Heathrow Airport

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the letter from the Committee on Climate Change to his Department, of 22 November 2016, if he will make it his policy that final approval of additional capacity at Heathrow Airport is contingent on the UK meeting its carbon budgets in 2050 without international offsets or additional emissions reductions being required in other sectors of the economy.

Jesse Norman: The Government agrees with the Airports Commission’s assessment that a new runway at Heathrow can be delivered within the UK’s carbon obligations. The Government is working on an aviation strategy to replace the 2013 Aviation Policy Framework, and this will include consideration of available policy measures to address the climate change impacts of aviation.Given the international nature of the aviation sector, the Government is also taking action on this sector at a global level, including working to reach an agreement on the first worldwide scheme to address carbon emissions from aviation through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Mike Penning: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This 'Great Repeal Bill' will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical and in that context all relevant legislation is currently being identified and assessed.

Afghanistan: Armed Forces

Dr Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the anticipated profile is of British military units in Afghanistan over the next five years.

Mike Penning: The UK continues to make a key contribution to NATO's RESOLUTE SUPPORT MISSION (RSM). This is a non-combat, train, advise and assist mission to build a secure and stable Afghanistan. The UK's current contribution to RSM is around 450 personnel.At the NATO Warsaw Summit in July, the UK announced an uplift of 50 troops. These troops will be arriving in Afghanistan in early 2017. This increase will allow us to bolster our mentoring staff at the Afghan National Army Officers Academy, as well as to offer advisers to the Afghan Air Force and the Afghan Security Ministries. Decisions about the future laydown of RSM will be taken in conjunction with NATO Allies and Partners in 2017.

Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Sir Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF crews there are embedded in the New Zealand military on maritime patrol aircraft duties; how many such crews were so embedded in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015; and how many members of those crews no longer serve in the British Armed Forces.

Sir Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF crews there are embedded in the Australian military on maritime patrol aircraft duties; how many such crews were so embedded in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015; and how many members of those crews no longer serve in the British Armed Forces.

Sir Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF crews there are embedded in the US military on maritime patrol aircraft duties; how many such crews were so embedded in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015; and how many members of those crews no longer serve in the British Armed Forces.

Sir Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF crews have been embedded in the Canadian military on maritime patrol duties in each year since 2010; and how many of those crew members no longer serve in the UK armed forces.

Mike Penning: The information is not held in the format requested. However, the number of RAF personnel embedded with each nation’s military on Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) duties as part of the Seedcorn Initiative and Exchange Officer programme, on 1 April each year, is set out in the table below: YearNumber of Personnel Embedded USCanadaAustraliaNew Zealand201011212011172120121746201321746201421735201521535201620535The number of RAF personnel who were embedded in each nation’s military on MPAs from 2010 to 2016, who no longer serve in the British Armed Forces, is set out below:US 1Canada 1Australia 0New Zealand 1

Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of UK and NATO support for the EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia in the Mediterranean.

Mike Penning: UK support to EU NAVFORMED Operation SOPHIA is making an important contribution to addressing migrant flows across the Mediterranean. Smugglers can no longer operate with impunity on the High Seas: SOPHIA has destroyed over 330 smuggling boats, apprehended nearly 100 suspected smugglers, and saved almost 30,000 lives - more than 9,000 of which were done so by HMS ENTERPRISE. And as part of a long-term solution, the UK is contributing to the training of the Libyan Coastguard to tackle migration from its shores.At the Warsaw Summit in July, NATO Allies agreed to support SOPHIA's efforts to tackle irregular migration in the Mediterranean. This support will be delivered through NATO's newly launched maritime security framework, Operation SEA GUARDIAN, building on the swift and effective cooperation seen in joint efforts to cut lines of human trafficking in the Aegean Sea.We are clear that SOPHIA is only one part of a comprehensive approach that addresses both the causes of migration and their consequences.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will investigate for what reasons military helicopters flying over Manchester on 27 October 2016 did so without running lights; and what communications were made between the Royal Air Force and Manchester City Council on that exercise.

Mike Penning: We have no record of Military helicopters flying over Manchester on 27 October 2016.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many helicopters flew over properties in Manchester on 26 October 2016 as part of a military exercise.

Mike Penning: On 26 October 2016 two Puma helicopters flew over Manchester as part of routine military activity. All processes were followed.

Ministry of Defence: Buildings

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to give the Crown Estate notice that it will be releasing its tenancy of the Citadel.

Mark Lancaster: The estimated date of disposal for the Royal Citadel is 2024. The Department will ensure the appropriate amount of notice is given to the Crown Estate; however the date for this is not yet known.

MOD Caledonia

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's report, a Better Defence Estate, published in November 2016, what the annual running costs were for MoD Caledonia in each financial year from 2011-12 to 2015-16.

Mark Lancaster: The annual running costs for Ministry of Defence (MOD) Caledonia, in each financial year from 2011-2012 to 2015-2016, are given below: Financial YearTotal Running Costs £ millions2011-126.922012-137.122013-147.302014-157.942015-168.30

War Widows: Pensions

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2016 to Question 45624, on war widows' pensions, what recent progress he has made with his Department's review of its policy on compensation for war widows who remarried between 1973 and 2005.

Mark Lancaster: I remain sympathetic to the circumstances of this group of widows and have asked Ministry of Defence officials to continue to consider potential options given the financial and legal considerations we are faced with.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Communities and Local Government: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. The ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical. The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Travellers: EU Action

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the conclusions of the 2011 EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government is committed to creating a fair society in which all people, of whatever ethnic origin or background, are able to participate fully in society and realise their full potential. The United Kingdom has a strong and well-established legal framework, which protects all individuals, including Roma, against discrimination and hate crime. The UK is taking forward Roma integration through wider social inclusion policies, which is fully in line with our commitments under the 2011 EU Council Conclusions on an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020.

Homelessness

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assistance his Department provides to homeless people to help them access the private rented sector.

Gavin Barwell: One person without a home is one too many and we are committed to do all we can to prevent homelessness. That is why we have increased central investment to tackle homelessness over the next four years to £149 million. At Budget 2016, we went further and announced £100 million to deliver low cost ‘move on’ accommodation to enable people leaving hostels and refuges to make a sustainable recovery from a homelessness crisis, providing at least 2,000 places for vulnerable people to enable independent living.We made a significant investment of nearly £14 million from 2010 to 2016 for Crisis to develop a programme to help single homeless people access private rented sector accommodation. Over 9,000 people had been helped, with over 90% maintaining tenancies for at least 6 months.

Non-domestic Rates

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the total amount to be collected in devolved business rates by each local authority in England and Wales in each year to 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department has not made an estimate of the total amount of retained business rates to be collected by each local authority in England to 2020. The Office for Budget Responsibility has published its forecast of total business rates for Great Britain alongside the Autumn Statement and it is available at the link below, at table 2.8:http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/Supplementary_Tables_Receipts_Fiscal-2.xlsxBusiness rates in Wales are a matter for the Welsh Government.

Travellers

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2016 to Question 52441, if he will issue supplementary guidance to local enterprise partnerships on focussing programmes at local level on ensuring greater Roma participation.

Andrew Percy: It is for local areas to decide on how best to engage their population and meet local needs.

EU Grants and Loans

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on their future access to European structural funding.

Andrew Percy: I have regular meetings with local authorities to discuss their access to European Structural Funding.

Brexit

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local government representatives are included in the negotiations on the UK's exit from the EU.

Mr Marcus Jones: DCLG is determined that the voice of local government is heard in negotiations, and both Ministers and officials have an ongoing dialogue with local government on this issue. For instance, David Davis will have monthly meetings with the Mayor of London, and local government representatives are members of the DCLG Exiting the EU Programme Board which oversees the department’s work.

Homelessness

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of regional variation in levels of homelessness; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones: Homelessness acceptances remain less than half the 2003-4 peak, but one person without a home is still one too many. That is why we have protected £315 million for local authority homelessness prevention funding, and secured £149 million central government funding in this Parliament.We have a strong homelessness safety net, but we want to go further by putting prevention at the heart of our approach to tackling homelessness. That is why we are supporting Bob Blackman MP’s Private Members’ Bill. The Homelessness Reduction Bill will significantly reform England’s homelessness legislation, ensuring that more people get the help they need earlier to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place.Homelessness statistics are recorded at a local authority level. Statistics on homelessness acceptances for each local authority in England and the total figures for areas can be found in live table 784: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness.

Communities and Local Government: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Mr Marcus Jones: Private areas are available in all DLCG buildings for use by nursing mothers. My department has issued guidance to staff on the support available to new and expectant mothers.

Affordable Housing: Construction

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 3.5 of Autumn Statement 2016, how many affordable homes to rent will be built in each year from 2017 to 2020; and how many of those homes will be built with a central government grant.

Gavin Barwell: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

David Mundell: Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, an employer is required by law to provide somewhere for a breastfeeding employee to rest and lie down. Such facilities exist within both Scotland Office buildings in London and Edinburgh and these facilities can be extended to visitors to each office.

Scotland Office: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

David Mundell: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical and in that context all relevant legislation is currently being identified and assessed.

Citizens Advice Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when Ministers of his Department last met Citizens Advice Scotland; what was discussed at that meeting; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: I last met with Citizens Advice Scotland on 3 August 2015 in Edinburgh, during the passage of the Scotland Bill. My officials in the Scotland Office engage regularly with Citizens Advice Scotland, most recently meeting them at High Riggs Jobcentre Plus in August this year to discuss a range of issues, including the implementation of the new welfare powers in the Scotland Act 2016.

Scotland Office: Departmental Responsibilities

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many projects in operation in his Department are related to the UK's exit from the EU.

David Mundell: The Prime Minister has instructed all departments to identify potential opportunities that will arise in their areas from EU Exit. The Government is united in its ambition to deliver a successful withdrawal from the EU and a new relationship with Europe, and departments will work together to deliver this.

Opencast Mining: Scotland

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 November 2016, Official Report, columns 879-80, how much the Government has spent on enabling open cast restoration works to be undertaken within (a) Scotland and (b) East Ayrshire.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 November 2016, Official Report, columns 879-880, what actions the Government has taken to enable opencast coal restoration within East Ayrshire; and where that restoration work has taken place.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 November 2016, Official Report, columns 879-880, and the Answer of 5 January 2016 to Question 20538, how many meetings he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss assistance for opencast coal restoration works within East Ayrshire; and on what dates those meetings were held.

David Mundell: Since the Opencast Restoration issue arose, I have raised this formally and informally on numerous occasions with Government colleagues, including with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 2015, with whom responsibility for this policy sits. I last met with East Ayrshire Council in June this year to discuss progress with restoration. BEIS officials have participated in the Scottish Government’s Coal Restoration Working Group which agreed a way forward for these sites. That Group publishes minutes and updates at:https://beta.gov.scot/publications/coal-restoration-working-group-minutes-october-2016/which include progress on restoration of sites in Ayrshire. In addition, our UK Non Departmental Public Body, the Coal Authority, is continuing to offer to provide expert advice to Local Authorities.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade provides quiet spaces for lactating mothers in its London estates appropriate for both visitors and staff.International Trade & Investment and Trade Policy Group are located in 1 Victoria Street. The building has one first aid room equipped with seats, a bed, antibacterial wipes and a refrigerator. This room is kept locked when not in use and is accessible to lactating mothers and those who need to express their milk.UK Export Finance (UKEF) is located in the Treasury building at 1 Horse Guards Road. The Treasury building has one first aid room and two recovery rooms which can be used by staff members and visitors who are lactating mothers and those who need to express their milk. The rooms are private, kept locked when not in use and are equipped with refrigerators where the mothers can safely store their breast milk. The rooms have antibacterial wipes, paper towels, comfortable seats and a bed if needed to rest. The rooms are heated but are also provided with electric cooling fans should they be required.Breast feeding mothers are given time to express their milk whilst at work and the Department for International Trade provides risk assessment for expectant mothers to ensure their health and safety whilst at work.With regards to the Department’s offices in King Charles Street, I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my Rt hon Friend the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas on 29 November, UIN 54375.

Department for International Trade: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Greg Hands: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical.The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Department for International Trade: Staff

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many applications from people with a manufacturing background have been received for non-executive positions in his  Department.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade considered over 180 candidates for Non-Executive Board Member positions, sourced from direct applications and recommendations from senior leaders across Government. Of the direct applications received for the role, approximately a third declared prior experience in the manufacturing sector.

Department for Transport

Department for Transport: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Andrew Jones: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical, and in that context all relevant legislation is currently being identified and assessed.The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Roads: Safety

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on implementing the conclusions of Working Together to Build a Safer Road System, published December 2015; if he will make it his policy to issue an annual statement; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones: The Government, and its road safety partners, are making excellent progress in delivering the Road Safety Statement. Highlights include: laying legislation to implement much tougher penalties for drivers using a hand held mobile phone; a £1m drug-driving enforcement grant to police forces in England and Wales; £50m of Bikeability funding; piloting a new practical driving test and developing the hazard perception test. We intend to publish a progress report towards the end of 2017.

London Airports: Night Flying

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2016 to Question 52730, what steps he is taking to ensure the consultation on night flights is completed in time for winter 2017 flights to be planned without disruption.

Mr John Hayes: The Government will be consulting shortly on options for the next night flights regime. As part of this process, we will set out the steps for renewing the night flight restrictions, including the arrangements for the winter 2017 season.

Carbon Emissions

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had with counterparts in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the Government's emissions reduction plan since May 2016.

Mr John Hayes: In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not routinely disclosed. Officials from the Department for Transport meet regularly with their counterparts in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss a range of policy issues, including the Government’s emissions reduction plan.

Aviation

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many reported commercial aircraft cabin and flight deck smoke or fume events there have been in each year since 2014.

Mr John Hayes: The Government does not collect specific data on the frequency of incidents of commercial aircraft cabin and flight deck smoke, or fume events. As such, no estimates have been made. Serious incidents are counted amongst data for safety related events. In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 376/2014, safety-related events which endanger or which, if not corrected or addressed, could endanger an aircraft, its occupants or any other person have to be reported to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).The Regulation requires that the reporting, analysis and follow-up to such occurrences remain confidential. However, the Regulation does permit information to be released on request to interested parties that have a genuine safety related need for the information. An application can be made at www.caa.co.uk/srg1605.

Renewable Fuels

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made to date on meeting the Renewable Energy Directive obligation of 10 per cent of transport fuels coming from renewable sources by 2020; and what estimate he has made of likely progress towards that goal by 2020.

Mr John Hayes: Our existing policies under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order already deliver around 3 per cent of transport energy from renewable sources.[1] This includes a growing proportion of biofuels produced from wastes, increasing greenhouse gas savings from transport. We are determined to achieve the target of 10 per cent of energy used in transport to be from renewable sources by 2020, and we have launched a consultation on proposals to increase the supply of renewable transport fuels. The consultation will run from 29 November 2016 to 22 January 2017 and can be seen at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/renewable-transport-fuel-obligation-proposed-changes-for-2017 [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/biofuel-statistics-year-7-2014-to-2015-report-6

Drugs: Screening

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the DVLA takes to notify the public that poppy seed consumption could lead to a positive result in a drugs test.

Andrew Jones: There is no need to notify the public about the consumption of poppy seeds as the limit for 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) – heroin and diamorphine – was set to rule out accidental exposure. All the drugs most associated with illegal use have been set at accidental exposure limits. The Government has produced a range of guidance for pharmacies, healthcare professionals and the general public about medications and non-illegal use of drugs when driving, which is available at the following address:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving

Drugs: Screening

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of people refused a driving licence after testing positive for poppy seeds during a drugs screening.

Andrew Jones: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not hold data on how many people have been refused a driving licence after testing positive for poppy seeds during a drug screening.

Department for Transport: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Mr John Hayes: The Department for Transport and its agencies is supportive of all lactating mothers - staff and visitors. The Department has identified a safe and healthy environment in which to nurse a baby or express milk should a mother require. In some office locations where there is no special/dedicated facilities for this - small private meeting rooms would be adopted for these purposes if required. Sympathetic consideration is also given to the availability of refrigerators for subsequent storage of milk for both staff and visitors. Staff at the Department will have in place a pregnancy/new mothers risk assessment that is reviewed regularly with their line manager. This risk assessment would identify suitable local arrangements that would be implemented. These would include suitable rest facilities, allowing some flexibility in the working arrangements of the mother, and arrangements for suitable locations for either nursing a baby or expressing and storing of the mother’s breast milk. Visitors at the Department would be offered similar arrangements to staff, to enable them to nurse, express or store milk and wherever possible a private room would be provided. Other support the Department provides is arrangements for temporary or more flexible working patterns to accommodate the needs of the individual, or additional advice would be given by HR in relation to maternity leave etc. All staff have access to new mother’s information and internal online information, guidance and checklists. The new mothers/nursing mothers risk assessment process and forms are available via this route. The Department adheres to the appropriate legislation in relation to new mothers at work; Management of Health & Safety Regulations 1999; The Workplace (Health; Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and The Employment Rights Act 1996 (as amended by Employment Relations Act 1999) for both staff and visitors.

Heathrow Airport

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect that the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport will have on Northern Ireland.

Mr John Hayes: The Department has undertaken an economic assessment of the impact of a new runway at Heathrow at a national level, taking account of all areas of the UK. People from Northern Ireland can expect to be able to take advantage of new destinations, extra seats and increased frequency of service created by increased capacity at Heathrow.

Heathrow Airport

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that connectivity between Northern Ireland and London is improved as a result of the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Mr John Hayes: There were around 20,400 flights between Northern Ireland and London in 2015, of which around 6,300 flights were between Belfast and Heathrow. Expansion at Heathrow will benefit the whole of the UK and will give even more areas access to London and to important international markets by 2030.Government expects Heathrow to protect and strengthen existing domestic services, including to Belfast City Airport, and to develop new connections, for example, to Belfast International Airport. Overall, Heathrow expects to add six more domestic routes by 2030, bringing the total to 14 routes.

Aviation

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations the Government has received from the aviation sector on priorities for its negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

Mr John Hayes: The Secretary of State for Transport, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, and the Minister for Aviation, Lord Ahmad have all held meetings with aviation industry stakeholders to discuss matters relating to our forthcoming exit negotiations. The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising for our aviation industry. Until we leave, EU aviation rules will continue to apply in the UK.

Road Traffic Control

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will assess the potential benefits of allowing road users to turn left on red traffic signals at junctions.

Andrew Jones: We believe it is unnecessary in the UK because, unlike other countries that use this system, such as the US, most UK traffic lights use traffic responsive systems to reduce delays and improve traffic flow. This proposal could seriously compromise pedestrian safety by allowing traffic to turn through pedestrian signals. In the UK the majority of signal junctions are provided with pedestrian facilities, which only give a green signal when conflicting traffic is stopped.

Driving: Eyesight

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for road safety of drivers wearing spectacles purchased online.

Andrew Jones: Drivers are responsible for wearing the correct spectacles they need for driving regardless of where they are bought. The Department for Transport makes clear the eyesight standards for driving in its leaflets, forms and on GOV.UK. The Department supports the NHS’ recommendation that adults should have their eyes tested every two years.

British Transport Police: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department provides to serving officers in the British Transport Police with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Paul Maynard: The British Transport Police force has a comprehensive proactive approach to addressing the risk to the mental health of its officers, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This has been developed with the support of mental health professionals, and includes training and education for officers and managers, operational processes to minimise unnecessary exposure to traumatic events, and a network of trained Trauma / Risk Management officers to provide support and assessment. This is supported by an in-house occupational health service which provides services to employees who show signs of, or who are diagnosed with PTSD or suspected PTSD.

Govia Thameslink Railway: Staff

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department has received from Govia Thameslink Railway on the effect on service levels of the shortage of train crew on the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise.

Paul Maynard: GTR exceeded the breach levels for cancellations last year and were required to agree a Remedial Plan with the Department. The main focus of the Remedial Plan was the recruitment and training of sufficient drivers to operate their services, including training requirements. To date, GTR have fulfilled their contractual obligations in respect of driver numbers. Since April, there has been significant disruption on Southern services as a result of industrial action by conductors as well as conductor and driver absences. The information on the shortage of Southern train crew has been provided to the Department as part of GTR’s claim for force majeure; this claim is currently being assessed.

Railways: Disability

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received on driver-only operation from (a) the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and (b) any other organisations representing disabled people.

Paul Maynard: We are not aware of any formal representations on this.

Railways: Standards

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the amount of time it takes to despatch a train under (a) driver and (b) guard conductor dispatch.

Paul Maynard: No simple answer can be provided to this question, as the time taken under either mode is dependent on too many variables, including class of train (there are over 60 classes of rolling stock in use on the UK rail network) and station operating conditions.

Govia Thameslink Railway: Staff

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department has received from Govia Thameslink Railway on what the exceptional circumstances are that will allow trains to run without an on-board service supervisor.

Paul Maynard: Govia Thameslink Railway has given a commitment to its staff and the RMT union that trains affected by the conductor changes will only leave a station without an on board supervisor on very rare occasions. So, for example, in times of disruption (or when there is short-notice sickness) if a driver but no on board supervisor is available, to avoid delaying passengers unnecessarily, a train will run rather than be cancelled. During times of disruption an on board supervisor may be able to join the train later in the journey.

Trams: North West

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the Tram-Train pilot between Sheffield and Rotherham to start its passenger service.

Paul Maynard: The Rotherham to Sheffield Tram Train pilot project has been subject to review. This is due to problems with Network Rail’s complex programme of works to modify the heavy rail network in order to allow the operation of the innovative tram train vehicles. The final outcome of this review work is still being considered. However, Network Rail has indicated that their work is now scheduled to be complete during summer 2018.The commencement of passenger services on this route would follow the successful testing of the infrastructure, operational arrangements and appropriate driver and staff training. A decision as to a public start date would be made by South Yorkshire PTE and Supertram as and when the Network Rail works reach their conclusion.

Railways: North of England

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with Transport for the North on the roll-out of an Oyster card-type system for the North of England.

Andrew Jones: The Government is committed to seeing the implementation of smart ticketing that makes passengers’ travel better. We have pledged funding to support Transport for the North develop its vision for smart ticketing across the North and the Secretary of State has a vision to see rail smart ticketing become a reality across the country by the end of 2018. Officials are in regular touch with Transport for the North on smart ticketing and the Secretary of State reiterated the importance he places on it at a meeting with the Chairman just a few weeks ago.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Diplomatic Relations

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans his Department has to increase its overseas diplomatic representation after the vote to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Alan Duncan: We are strengthening our European network of posts including by increasing the number of UK based staff posted, upgrading the seniority of a number of Heads of Mission jobs and increasing our representation in Geneva. We will continue to review staffing in the wider network as appropriate.

Israel: Prisoners

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will inquire into the current status, treatment and location of Ali Shamlawi, Mohammed Kleib, Mohammed Suleiman, Ammar Souf and Tamer Souf.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We continue to monitor developments in the cases of these boys and regularly raise the matter with the Israeli authorities.

BBC Monitoring

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many meetings Ministers and officials of his Department have had with Ministers and officials of the (a) Ministry of Defence, (b) Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (c) Department for International Development to discuss negotiations on the new scheme for BBC monitoring services and the closure of Caversham Park.

Sir Alan Duncan: Cabinet Office officials have held five meetings with Ministry of Defence officials, one meeting with a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister and five meetings with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, related to negotiations of the 2017 BBC Monitoring Agreement.Cabinet Office officials have not held meetings with the Department for International Development as DfID is not one of the six 'key customers' for the HMG BBC Monitoring service.

BBC Monitoring

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what risk assessments government departments have carried out of the proposed restructuring of BBC monitoring services and the closure of Caversham Park; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Alan Duncan: Risk assessments on the restructuring and closure of Caversham Park are matters for the BBC. HMG has ensured that products and services will continue to be provided to HMG by BBCM, during and after the restructuring, through the negotiation of the new BBC Monitoring Agreement.

Syria: War Crimes

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on potential investigations by the International Criminal Court into alleged war crimes committed in Syria.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK has publicly expressed its support for referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC). In May 2014, the UK co-sponsored a UN Security Council resolution to refer all those responsible for war-crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, regardless of affiliation, to the ICC. Russia and China chose to veto this resolution. Russia has since vetoed five resolutions on Syria.The UK has a long-standing commitment to accountability and this will not alter. The UK continues to believe that those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable, that any process of justice must primarily benefit Syrians and Syria as a country, and that the exact nature of the process is for Syrians to agree.We fully support the work of the independent UN Commission of Inquiry and have stressed our support for their work in recent discussions with partners, including at recent sessions of the UN Human Rights Council. In support of a future process of justice, we have also supported with partners the compilation of case files of evidence of atrocities approximating to ICC standards, which may form an important part of a future process to hold those responsible to account.

Islamic State: Military Intervention

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with governments of the Gulf states on their contribution to the campaign against Daesh.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Ministers and officials from both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other Government Departments frequently discuss the counter-Daesh campaign, and Gulf states' contributions to it, with our Gulf partners. Looking just at the last month: on 27 October, I discussed these issues with our Gulf partners at the Global Coalition's Communications Working Group in Abu Dhabi, which I co-chaired with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and US; I had addressed the subject on 19-20 November at the 2016 Sir Bani Yas security forum in the UAE; and on 16-17 November, FCO officials discussed these issues with Gulf partners at the Global Coalition's Co-Leads and Small Group meetings in Berlin.

Malaysia: Demonstrations

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Malaysian counterpart on the (a) use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 in that country to arrest and detain Maria Chin Abdullah and other peaceful demonstrators and campaigners and (b) release of those demonstrators detained under that Act.

Alok Sharma: ​I understand Maria Chin Abdullah has now been released following her detention under the Special Offences (Security Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). This is a positive development. We have a regular dialogue with Malaysian ministers on human rights, including the use of SOSMA and the right to peaceful protest. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London also meet periodically with representatives of Malaysian Civil Society to hear their concerns. We shall continue to follow these issues and wider civil society in Malaysia very closely.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will estimate the change in high needs expenditure in Warrington since 2013; and if she will estimate how much of this expenditure has been required as a result of Government education reforms introduced since 2013.

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will assess the effect of recent changes in high needs expenditure in Warrington on the budget in that area for other schools and services funded through the schools' funding block.

Edward Timpson: Local authority school and high needs expenditure is published in section 251 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/section-251-materials. Warrington Borough Council’s schools and high needs expenditure for the financial years 2013-14 to 2016-17 is as follows:  2013-14* (outturn)2014-15* (outturn)2015-16 (budget)2016-17 (budget)Schools expenditure£121.1 million£86.9 million£120.8 million£122.5 millionHigh needs expenditure£14.0 million£18.3 million£17.7 million£17.9 million* Figures are after academy recoupment so are not comparable to 2015-16 and 2016-17, which are before academy recoupment The figures show that both schools expenditure and high needs expenditure are budgeted to increase between 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Schools: Newham

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will assess the effect on the budget of Newham Borough Council of the removal of the Educational Services Grant.

Nick Gibb: As announced at the Spending Review, we plan to save £600m from the Education Services Grant (ESG) by phasing out the general funding rate from 2017-18. Local authorities will continue to receive ESG funding in 2016-17. They will also receive transitional ESG funding from April 2017 to August 2017 inclusive. We recognise that local authorities, including Newham Borough Council, will need to use other sources of funding to pay for education services they carry out for pupils in maintained schools once the general funding rate has been removed from September 2017. This is why we are amending regulations to allow local authorities to retain some of their maintained schools’ Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to cover the statutory duties that they carry out on behalf of their maintained schools. The remaining ESG funding will be used to fund local authorities for the duties they hold in relation to all pupils. In 2017-18, this will be paid to local authorities through the DSG.

Academies

Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 3 May 2016 to Question HL8119, what (a) her policy is on and (b) criteria will be used to allocate the £300 million for failing schools.

Nick Gibb: Our ambition remains that all schools should benefit from the freedom and autonomy that academy status brings. Our focus is on building capacity in the system to enable schools to convert voluntarily. We will also continue to convert all schools that are judged inadequate by Ofsted so they can benefit from the support of a strong sponsor. It is important to be clear that the funding referred to in the previous answer is not solely for failing schools. As set out in our original response, it is funding that has been made available to support all schools converting to academy status, including failing schools. The criteria for allocating pre-opening funding to converting schools is well established and remain unchanged. Voluntary converters receive £25,000 in order to contribute to the cost of conversion. Sponsored converters receive between £70,000 and £150,000, depending on the type of school and level of failure.

Church Commissioners

Churches: War Memorials

Chi Onwurah: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Church of England's policy is on erecting new war memorial plaques.

Dame Caroline Spelman: Decisions regarding the construction, restoration or repair of war memorials, or laying up of military Standards are made at the local parish level. Any new installation or application for restoration would need to have the support of the local church or cathedral and would be required to submit its proposals for consideration through the usual Church Faculty process to seek permission to alter the fabric of the church or cathedral.The Church Buildings Council has produced a free guide, available on the ChurchCare website, to help churches considering commissioning new art, of which memorials would be one type. This is a practical guide aimed at those with no experience of commissioning art and would be well suited to be used by veterans who wanted to work with a church to produce a memorial: http://www.churchcare.co.uk/churches/art-artefacts-conservation/introducing-new-art

Churches: War Memorials

Chi Onwurah: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to support the commemoration of the contribution of the armed services by supporting veterans in establishing new war memorials in churches.

Dame Caroline Spelman: In February 2015 the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on behalf of the Church of England signed a commitment to support the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. The Corporate Covenant commits the Church to recognise the need of and care for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and families in their local communities. More information about the commitment to the Corporate Covenant can be found at: https://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/international-affairs/armed-forces-covenant.aspxWith regards to commemoration the Church of England plays a significant role both nationally and locally during the season of Remembrance. Across the Church most parishes host memorials to local regiments and provide communities space to mark the contribution of the armed forces and uniformed organisations. In Newcastle, the magnificent East End window at St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle, is itself a memorial, installed to give thanks for the preservation of the building during the Second World War. In this period of the WWI centenary the Cathedral has worked with the Coldstream Guards to oversee conservation of their Standards, laid up in the cathedral after WWI. The Church is also working closely with local schools and community groups to help young people build understanding the contribution of all those who have served in armed conflict.When considering constructing new memorials the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England and the Church Buildings Council are able to provide advice to churches. The CFCE has recently been involved in the commissioning of a significant new memorial at Hereford Cathedral, designed by John Maine RA, which will be a tribute to former and current soldiers serving in the SAS. Called Ascension the piece involves a new stained glass window and linked stone sculpture to provide a place for reflection and hope, as well as of remembrance. SAS veterans and serving soldiers were closely involved in its creation.The Church Buildings Council has produced a free guide, available on the ChurchCare website, to help churches considering commissioning new art, of which memorials would be one type. This is a practical guide aimed at those with no experience of commissioning art and would be well suited to be used by veterans who wanted to work with a church to produce a memorial: http://www.churchcare.co.uk/churches/art-artefacts-conservation/introducing-new-art

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Cultural Heritage: China

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with her Chinese counterpart on illegal sale of religious, cultural and historical artefacts.

Matt Hancock: None.

Telephone Services: Speech and Language Disorders

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the finding of the website stammeringlaw.org.uk on voice recognition systems and duties on companies to make reasonable adjustments, published on 25 September 2012, what statutory requirements there are for companies that use computer answering systems to ensure that those with stammering and other communication needs are able to speak to a real person.

Matt Hancock: The use of an automated answering service is a commercial decision. However many companies offer alternative methods of contact to assist callers who encounter difficulties when using an automated answering service.

BBC: Video on Demand

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to enable the BBC to introduce subscription charges for viewing content on its iPlayer outside the UK.

Matt Hancock: Under the new BBC Charter and Framework Agreement the BBC are able to trial international subscription models, and now it is a matter for the BBC to progress this.

Sports: Disability

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to take up sport activities; and if she will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch: Government recognises the importance of sport and physical activity for disabled people who take part at both grassroots and the elite level. Our sport and physical activity strategy, 'Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation', published in December 2015, emphasises the importance of getting people active, particularly those groups currently under-represented, including disabled people.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) facilities and (b) other support her Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Matt Hancock: DCMS occupies a shared building and both staff and visitors have access to two quiet and private rooms in the building equipped with soft seating and refrigeration facilities made available for the expressing and storing of breast milk. The Department actively encourages flexible working and this is supported by our IT and telecoms services which facilitate easy connectivity to central networks from remote locations. Employees and managers have access through our intranet to the Civil Service Parental Leave Toolkit and other valuable related information. There is also a staff network - The Parental Leave Network which is a friendly and informal network supporting staff throughout their parental leave and return to work offering resources and and tips for returning as well as operating a buddy system for parents returning from work. In situations where a member of staff has more specific requirements, these will be addressed on a case by case basis with the aim of providing the support required for their particular circumstance.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of her Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Matt Hancock: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical.The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Public Libraries: Closures

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent estimate she has made of the number of library closures in each of the last six years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport monitors proposed changes to library service provision throughout England. The Department does not maintain detail on the number of public libraries closed each calendar year.

Digital Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the comparative contribution of the UK, Europe and China to international standards development for the digital sector; and what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on that contribution and the development of those standards.

Matt Hancock: Working with other departments the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) actively supports the process of developing standards for the digital sector. We note that it is primarily a matter for industry to lead on the detail of standards. The main role of government is to support open processes that are transparent and available for all appropriate stakeholders with special focus on considerations that support wider societal needs. In conjunction with the Department for Business, Energy Innovation and Skills (BEIS) and the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU), DCMS is working to consider the effect of leaving the EU on all technical standards work on the digital sector. Reviewing the international dimension and possible scenarios is a key part of this work. These assessments will contribute to the overall government policy on leaving the EU and underpin particular approaches that relate to digital standards.

Digital Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what contribution the Government is making to the development of standards in the digital industry; and how many employees in her Department work on developing such standards.

Matt Hancock: DCMS work’s with other government departments, industry and arms length bodies to undertake specific work in standards bodies that supports specific policy objectives and societal needs. This may take the form of direct participation or supporting initiatives that work with standards. Two employees currently work full time on technical standards issues in DCMS, in conjunction with a number of others in DCMS and across government who are either devoted full time or part of their time to standardisation work.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) facilities and (b) other support her Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

George Eustice: Defra’s Health and Safety Policy makes reference to the following in respect of rest breaks and facilities for new and expectant mothers: ‘New and expectant mothers may require additional rest breaks. There must be access to a suitable area for rest breaks to be taken, easy access to toilets and access to clean drinking water. For women who are breastfeeding access must be provided to a private room (a First Aid Room for example) and where possible appropriate facilities should be made for storing expressed milk. Toilets are not suitable for breast feeding/expressing milk.’ Defra complies with Regulations 16-18 of the Management of Health & Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations 1999 (SI 199/3242) in the provision of facilities for new and expectant mothers (employees) when written notification is given (regulation 18). An assessment of need as required under the act would be made with the individual and their line manager. Facilities would then be requested to meet that need within the specific office location the employee is based. Generally, this may be a dedicated first aid room if available, or another suitable room, close to amenities which can be made private. If a visitor to one of our premises requests a facility for the same purpose (a) or (b) then we would endeavour to make suitable arrangements if none were already in existence at that location.

Cats: Animal Breeding

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to introduce regulations on the breeding and sale of kittens in the UK.

George Eustice: Defra is currently reviewing the animal establishments licensing schemes and has made several proposals that will help modernise the laws that regulate the breeding and selling of certain pet animals. Defra is not proposing to introduce specific regulations to control cat breeding however the welfare of cats in breeding establishments is provided for under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Any concerns about the welfare of cats in breeding establishments should be reported to the relevant local authority who have powers under the Animal Welfare Act to investigate however the RSPCA can also investigate. Animal welfare is a devolved issue and therefore any regulations introduced by the Government will only apply to England.

Cats: Sales

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent kittens being sold younger than eight weeks of age.

George Eustice: Defra is currently reviewing the animal activities licensing schemes and have made several proposals that will help modernise the laws that regulate the breeding and selling of certain pet animals. One such proposal will require local authorities to use the Model Conditions for Pet Vending Licensing which, if carried forward, will mean that local authorities will need to apply these conditions when inspecting a pet shop. The Model Conditions for Pet Vending Licensing include a requirement that any kittens for sale must be aged eight weeks or over.

Cats: Sales

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish guidance on the buying and selling of cats and kittens.

George Eustice: The Government has published guidance on buying cats which can be found on the GOV.UK website. Other helpful information is also available from animal welfare organisations and cat keeping interest groups such as Cats Protection and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.

Total Allowable Catches

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to (a) ensure that Total Allowable Catch (TAC) quotas are set in line with scientific advice and (b) where necessary remove such TACs from the list fixing TACs at the same level for the next two years under the Joint Statement by the Council and Commission, Council document PECHE 491 15502/15 REV1, where there are negative trends in stock biomass for data-limited stocks.

George Eustice: The Government supports setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in line with the available scientific advice. The Government agrees with the joint statement made by Council and the European Commission at last year’s December Council that it is desirable to maintain the 2015 TAC level for certain specified data limited stocks, where the perception of the state of those stocks does not change significantly.

Environment Protection

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to publish its 25 year environment plan.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how she plans to consult the public on her Department's 25 year environment plan after it has been published.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The first step towards developing the plan will be to publish soon the framework which will be open to all to contribute. We will use the feedback from this to help develop the full plan itself next year.

Floods: Leeds City Region

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which postcodes in Leeds City Region her Department has identified as being vulnerable to potential winter flooding.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: As the Leeds City Region is extensive,‎ the best source for the extent of possible flood risk is the Environment Agency flood risk map on GOV.UK. Post codes are not preferred as often only a proportion of houses within a postcode will be at risk. The Environment Agency publishes national flood maps showing areas at risk of flooding from (i) rivers and the sea and (ii) surface water. A post code search showing flood risk information for specific locations is available on the GOV.UK website https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk. The flood maps are based on the best information currently available and have been updated using information collected during the winter 2015/16 flooding.

Flood Control: Leeds City Region

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has identified any existing flood defences in Leeds City Region as being inadequate to deal with potential winter flooding.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Following the 2015 flooding the Environment Agency inspected flood defences in all affected areas to identify locations where damage had been caused and remedial works were required. In all but two locations in Leeds City Region, existing flood defences have been returned to at least the same standard of protection that existed before the 2015 flooding. Contingency plans are in place where it has not yet been possible to restore the standard of protection. These include increased monitoring and revised flood warnings.

Department for Exiting the European Union

UK Trade with EU

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he intends to formally enter discussions on a future trade deal with the EU before the UK leaves the EU.

Mr David Jones: Article 50 states that the process for withdrawal will take account of the ‘framework’ of the leaving Member State’s future relationship with the EU, and there is a clear connection between the terms of our withdrawal and the future relationship that we want to establish.We do not want to get ahead of the negotiations or set out unilateral positions. How we take the process forward will be a matter for discussion with the EU institutions and our European partners. But given what is on the face of Article 50 and the connections between our withdrawal and our future relationship, it is our intention to seek to deal with both sets of issues together wherever possible, something that would clearly be in the interests of the EU as well as the UK.

NHS and Social Services

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has to consult representatives of the (a) NHS and (b) care sector as part of his Department's preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has to consult representatives of the higher education sector as part of his Department's preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

Mr David Jones: Stakeholder engagement is at the core of our plans to build a national consensus around our negotiating position; we are listening and talking to as many organisations, companies and institutions as we can. The Secretary of State and Junior Ministers will aim to visit every sector and every region of the UK.DExEU Ministers have already engaged with the Higher Education sector through roundtables, visits to university sites and bilateral meetings. Additionally, we have heard from a range of stakeholders at meetings on aviation, life sciences, agriculture and fisheries, financial services, and the universities and charities sectors. There will be many more.

UK Trade with EU

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the status of the UK's membership of the EU Customs Union.

Mr David Jones: We are not going to provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiations. No decision has yet been made on the issue of the EU Customs Union. As the Prime Minister has said, the UK will strike a unique agreement that gets the best deal for people at home, and the right deal for Britain abroad.

EU Grants and Loans

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on plans for Government funding to replace EU regional funding after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr David Jones: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring stability and certainty in the period leading up to our departure from the European Union. The Government has already announced a number of EU funding guarantees leading up to and beyond our exit from the EU.Leaving the EU means we will want to take our own decisions about how to deliver the policy objectives previously targeted by EU funding. Over the coming months, the government will consult closely with stakeholders to review all EU funding schemes in the round, to ensure that any ongoing funding commitments best serve the UK‘s national interest, while ensuring appropriate investor certainty.

Department for Exiting the European Union: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Mr David Jones: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical.The Government will set out the content of the Bill and its implications in due course.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Mr David Jones: The law requires all employers to provide somewhere for a breastfeeding employee to rest and lie down, in line with Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.Spaces in buildings are provided for breast-feeding, whether they be staff or visitors.

EU Institutions: British Nationality

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many employees of EU institutions are British subjects.

Mr David Jones: Not all EU Institutions publish figures relating to the nationality of their staff; according to our records, there are approximately 1900 British nationals working in the EU Institutions.

UK Relations with EU

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what his plans are for engaging with external stakeholders and experts to inform the Government's negotiating position on the terms of the UK's exit from and future relationship with the EU.

Mr David Jones: Stakeholder engagement is a central element of our plan to build a national consensus around our negotiating position. We are determined to listen and talk to as many organisations, companies and institutions as possible. We also plan to visit every region of the UK. We need to ensure that all views are reflected in the British Government's analysis of the options, priorities and opportunities for the UK as it exits the European Union. We have met with external stakeholders in a series of roundtable meetings and on ministerial visits, and we will continue to do so.

UK Trade with EU: EU Law

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what work his Department has undertaken to assess the amount of EU product, consumer and environmental legislation the UK will need to adopt in order to pursue each of the potential trade models with the single market after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: The Department for Exiting the European Union, working with officials across government, continues to undertake a wide range analysis of the UK economy and regulations, to inform the UK’s position for the upcoming negotiations with EU partners. We want the best possible arrangement for trade in goods and services with the EU, and are considering how our legislation can facilitate that. We are not going to speculate on what that looks like at this stage. We aren’t seeking to replicate any other model: we want a bespoke approach, which works for the UK, and the UK will seek to maintain its position as a global leader in product development, consumer rights and environmental protection as we leave the EU.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Wales

Gerald Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many full-time equivalent civil servants employed by his Department are working exclusively on issues arising for Wales as a result of the UK voting to leave the EU; and what the civil service grade is of each of those officials.

Mr David Jones: All departments are equipping themselves with the resources they need to get the best deal for the UK. We are not in a position to give a final total for particular groups of staff as recruitment is ongoing and we will not be giving a running commentary. The Department for Exiting the European Union now has just over 300 staff, and is growing fast.

Attorney General

Attorney General: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of the Law Officers' Departments cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Robert Buckland: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical and in that context all relevant legislation is currently being identified and assessed.

Cybercrime

Jim Shannon: To ask the Attorney General, if he will ensure that the prosecution of cybercrime is prioritised by the CPS.

Robert Buckland: Cybercrime is one of the Government’s current key threat areas. On 24 November 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published a new strategy statement and legal guidance on Cybercrime to align its prosecution policy with the aims of the UK Cyber Security Strategy and the Serious Organised Crime Strategy. The CPS works in partnership with law enforcement to pursue and prosecute all cyber criminality referred to it where the tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors are met, in line with CPS and National Strategies.

Victim Personal Statements

Jim Shannon: To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to ensure that courts take account of the content of victims' statements in considering judgments passed on people found guilty of committing crimes.

Robert Buckland: Victim Personal Statements (VPS) give victims a voice in criminal proceedings, allowing them to express exactly how they were affected by a crime, and helping the offender to understand the harm they caused. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance states that the prosecutor should ensure that the Court is aware of any VPS prior to sentencing. It should be read out in its entirety unless there is good reason for not doing so, and subject to any decision the court makes in respect of the VPS. The CPS is chairing a multi-agency working group to address the recommendations of the Victims’ Commissioner’s thematic review of the use of Victim Personal Statements and ensure the victim’s voice is always heard when they wish to be heard.

Attorney General: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Attorney General, what (a) facilities and (b) other support the Law Officers' Departments provide for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Robert Buckland: Staff and visitors to One Kemble Street, the main office of both GLD and HMCPSI, have access to a lockable room with a fridge that allows private expressing and storage of milk. The key to the room is available on request. The Attorney General’s Office, which occupies a different premises, has no dedicated staff area but there are a number of meeting spaces that can be made completely private and secure which are available to staff and visitors for this purpose. In all Crown Prosecution Service offices, the appropriate rest facilities and access to a refrigerator are made available to all staff and visitors for lactating mothers and the expressing of breast milk. In accordance with the workplace regulations 1992 (section 25.4) the Serious Fraud Office provides rest facilities for all staff and visitors who are lactating mothers or who may wish to express breast milk. The SFO has one welfare room with lying down facilities and two quiet rooms that can be used for these purposes within their offices.

Wales Office

Wales Office: EU Law

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, with reference to the contribution of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environmental Audit Committee on 25 October 2016, Question 332, what proportion of existing EU legislation within the policy remit of his Department cannot immediately be brought into UK law upon the UK leaving the EU.

Alun Cairns: The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical and in that context all relevant legislation is currently being identified and assessed.

Wales Office: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what (a) facilities and (b) other support his Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Guto Bebb: We make available a private room with access to refrigeration and running water for use by lactating mothers returning to work. The Office advises expectant mothers of the facilities that will be provided on their return from maternity leave and any adjustments to working patterns that are required.

Infrastructure: Wales

Gerald Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many meetings he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer specifically to discuss Welsh infrastructure projects between July 2016 and the Autumn Statement 2016.

Alun Cairns: I regularly discuss Wales's infrastructure needs with the Chancellor and other Ministerial colleagues. At Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that the Government is prioritising high-value investment, particularly in infrastructure and innovation, as a means of driving economic growth and raising productivity. We are increasing the Welsh Government’s capital budget by £436m which will enable it to fund infrastructure investment for the benefit of all of the people of Wales. Wales will also benefit directly from UK Government investment in Research & Development and Digital Infrastructure. This will support the development of the Welsh economy and raise productivity.

Brexit

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the potential effect on Wales of the UK leaving the EU.

Alun Cairns: Leaving the EU offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for the UK in the world. I am in regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that Wales remains at the heart of our negotiation strategy. As the Government has made clear, we are working to ensure that the UK’s exit from the EU serves the interests of the whole country.

Brexit

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the potential effect on Wales of the UK leaving the EU.

Alun Cairns: Leaving the EU offers us an opportunity to forge a new role for the UK in the world. I am in regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that Wales remains at the heart of our negotiation strategy. As the Government has made clear, we are working to ensure that the UK’s exit from the EU serves the interests of the whole country.

Infrastructure

Christian Matheson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with (a) his Ministerial colleagues and (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on future infrastructure development in Wales.

Guto Bebb: This Government is prioritising high-value investment, particularly in infrastructure and innovation, to drive economic growth and raise productivity. At Autumn Statement, the Chancellor increased the Welsh Government’s capital budget by £436m. This is in addition to the £500m in borrowing powers we committed to three years ago. These measures enable the Welsh Government to invest directly in modernising Wales’ infrastructure for the benefit of people throughout Wales.

Ministry of Justice

Remand in Custody

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of (i) men and (ii) women were refused bail and remanded in custody before conviction when the allegation related to (A) an offence against the person, (B) a public order offence, (C) a harassment offence and (D) a sexual offence in the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Bail Act 1976 creates a presumption in favour of bail. The main reasons for refusing bail are that the defendant is accused of an imprisonable offence and the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that the defendant, if released on bail, would abscond, commit further offences while on bail or interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice. In deciding whether or not to grant bail, the court will consider a number of factors, including: the nature and seriousness of the crime; the character of the defendant; his past criminal record; associations and ties with the community; the defendant’s record in regard to his previous commitments to bail conditions; and the strength of evidence against the defendant.The number and proportion of offenders remanded in custody before conviction for violence against the person, public order offences, harassment or sexual offences, by gender, at magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court in England and Wales in 2015, can be viewed in the attached table.Court proceedings data for 2016 will be published in due course.



Table for PQ 46055
(Excel SpreadSheet, 39 KB)

Pentonville Prison

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations her Department has received on conditions at HM Prison Pentonville in the last five years; and if she will place those representations in the Library.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Since 2011, representations on HMP Pentonville have been received by the Ministry of Justice from the Independent Monitoring Board reports and from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.These reports can be found on the IMB and HMIP websites respectively. Both reports are public documents and therefore already available.

Family Courts: Domestic Violence

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with the President of the family division of the High Court on the review that the President has commissioned of Practice Direction 12J.

Sir Oliver Heald: The Secretary of State has met with the President to discuss current issues in family justice. Practice Direction 12J was not discussed specifically but the Government looks forward to learning the outcome of the review of this judicial guidance.

Ministry of Justice: Social Networking

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department is monitoring content that is publicly available on social networking sites using overt monitoring techniques.

Dr Phillip Lee: In respect of media management and campaign communications, department communications teams monitor relevant publicly available social media content to evaluate the effectiveness of government campaigns. Departments are encouraged to follow Government Communications Service (GCS) Standards using the GCS Evaluation Framework https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/guidance/evaluation/tools-and-resources/

Immigration: Appeals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what fees were levied for an appeal to each of the seven chambers of the First-tier Tribunal as of (a) 1 January 2010, (b) 1 January 2013 and (c) 1 October 2016.

Sir Oliver Heald: The relevant fees for those Chambers in which fees are charged can be found within secondary legislation available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/

Courts: Fees and Charges

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which courts requiring the payment of fees operate a fee remission system.

Sir Oliver Heald: Our courts and tribunals play a critical role in our society and it is vital we preserve the principle of access to justice by providing a properly funded service.It is right that those who use the court and tribunal system should pay more to relieve the burden on the taxpayer.At every stage we have sought to protect the most vulnerable who cannot afford to pay a fee by ensuring that a system of fee remissions, exemptions or waivers is in place in all of HMCTS’s fee charging jurisdictions in the civil and family courts and tribunals.In addition, the Lord Chancellor’s power to remit or reduce fees in exceptional circumstances applies across all fee charging jurisdictions.

Prison Accommodation: Repairs and Maintenance

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison cells have required repair as a result of concerted indiscipline incidents in each prison establishment in each month since May 2010.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested is not held centrally.

Ministry of Justice: Breastfeeding

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) facilities and (b) other support her Department provides for (i) visitors and (ii) staff for (A) lactating mothers and (B) the expressing of breast milk.

Dr Phillip Lee: Private areas are available in all MOJ buildings for use by nursing mothers. The department’s maternity leave guidance states that managers must ensure that suitable rest facilities are available for mothers to breastfeed or express milk and to be flexible about giving breaks to enable them to do so. In addition, a new and expectant parent network has recently been established which provides support to staff with advice and assistance on parental issues.

Judiciary: Cardiff

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2016 to Question 52601, how many (a) magistrates and (b) judges have attended domestic abuse training courses in the Cardiff courts in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Sir Oliver Heald: All Judges and magistrates who sit in the family court are trained in the subject of domestic abuse. All magistrates in criminal courts also undertake training on domestic violence. Data on training for judges in the criminal courts is not held centrally.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the evidential basis is for the £40 reduction in insurance premiums referred to in her Department's press release entitled New crackdown on whiplash claims published on 17 November 2016; and if she will place the evidential basis for that calculation in the Library.

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the source is of the statistic in her Department's press release entitled New crackdown on whiplash claims, published on 17 November 2016, that whiplash claims are 50 per cent higher than a decade ago; and if she will place those statistics in the Library.

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to her Department's press release entitled New crackdown on whiplash claims, published on 17 November 2016, what her policy is on insurers making payments to personal injury claimants for claims considered to be exaggerated or fraudulent.

Sir Oliver Heald: A consultation paper was published on 17 November together with an impact assessment detailing the evidence behind the government’s proposals, available on GOV.UK.The government’s new reform package will disincentivise exaggerated and fraudulent claims, making it less likely that insurers will face such claims. Where an insurer believes a claim to be exaggerated or fraudulent they should challenge it.

Tenants: Evictions

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many tenants in Greater Manchester were evicted through the courts in each year since 2010.

Sir Oliver Heald: The information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Cabinet Office

Government Property Unit

Dr Andrew Murrison: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will estimate the value of savings accrued from government land and property by the Government Property Unit since 2010; and what the running costs of the Government Property Unit have been since 2010.

Ben Gummer: The Government Property Unit (GPU) was established in 2010 to work with central government departments to drive savings across the central civil mandated estate. From 2010 to 2015, we have reduced our estate by 2 million square metres, and 2,200 individual properties have been vacated.This has saved £845 million in running costs and generated over £2.7 billion in capital receipts since 2010.We are taking our ambitions further, with a commitment to release at least £5bn of government owned land and property by 2020 which will make a significant contribution to reducing the deficit, stimulating growth, and releasing land for housing.Funding was agreed at Spending Review for GPU’s programmes, including our Government Hubs Programme, which is driving a radical reshaping of the Civil Service office estate and for our One Public Estate Programme which works with local authorities to deliver better services, achieve savings and deliver local growth including releasing land for new homes and jobs.The average running costs for GPU since 2010 are £3.8 million per annum.